Small Bowel

This information should not be used for self-diagnosis or in place of a qualified physician’s care.

Reviewed 2016

The basics

Guidelines for treating this cancer have been developed by the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tumour Group.
For health professional information on treating this cancer, please see our Cancer Management Guidelines.
Other names/types of small intestine cancers are: small bowel cancer, small intestinal cancer, small intestine adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal carcinoid tumour, small intestine lymphoma, small intestine liposarcoma, small intestine angiosarcoma, small intestine neurofibrosarcoma, small intestine leiomyosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumour.
The small intestine is a tube that connects the stomach to the large intestine.
It is the largest part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is about one inch in diameter and about 15 to 20 feet long.
It consists of three parts: the duodenum (connected to the stomach), the jejunum (the middle part) and the ileum (connected to the large intestine).
Most of the digestion of food takes place in the small intestine.

What causes it and who gets it?

Listed below are some of the known risk factors for this cancer. Not all of the risk factors below may cause this cancer, but they may be contributing factors.

Cancer of the small intestine is quite rare.
About 60% of people who get small intestine cancer are men. [See note, Statistics]
Small intestine cancer is more common in people over 45.
Eating large amounts of animal proteins and fat, refined carbohydrates, red meat, and salt-cured or smoked foods may increase the risk of small intestine cancer.
The presence of a Helicobacter pylori infection may increase the risk of small intestine cancer.
Having Crohn's Disease or Celiac Disease increases the risk of small intestine cancer.
Those with inherited disorders such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are at higher risk for small intestine cancer.
There is also a small increase in risk for those who have had radiation therapy for cancer of the cervix.
Statistics

Can I help to prevent it?

Eating healthy, nutritious foods can reduce your cancer risk. Follow the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide and visit the BC. Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Nutrition for information and resources. In particular, avoiding large amounts of animal proteins and fat, refined carbohydrates, red meat, and salt-cured or smoked foods can reduce your risk for this cancer.
Eat a gluten-free diet if you have celiac disease. This seems to decrease the risk of small intestine cancer.

Screening for this cancer

No effective screening program exists for this cancer yet.

People who are at higher than average risk of developing small intestine cancer, especially people with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), may need to be tested so that if cancer develops it will be found at an early stage. Our Hereditary Cancer Program has more information.

Signs and Symptoms

Non-specific symptoms may delay the diagnosis of small intestine cancer until the cancer has reached an advanced stage
Pain or cramps in the abdomen is a common symptom
Nausea or vomiting
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Unexplained weight loss
Lump in the abdomen
Obstruction of the bowel
Anemia
Blood in stool
Diarrhea
Jaundice

^{NOTE: Available statistics do not have information about the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse participants. It is unknown how these statistics apply to transgender and gender diverse people. Patients are advised to speak with their primary care provider or specialists about their individual considerations and recommendations.}

Diagnosis & staging

Diagnosis

These are tests that may be used to diagnose this type of cancer:

Blood tests
Barium X-ray
CT scan
Angiography
Endoscopy
Wireless capsule endoscopy
Laparotomy

For more information on tests used to diagnose cancer, see our Recommended Websites, Diagnostic Tests section.

Types and Stages

Types

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of small intestine cancer.
It starts in the glandular cells in the lining of the small intestine.

Lymphoma

14% of small bowel tumours are lymphomas.
Most are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Carcinoid tumours

Carcinoid tumours are slow-growing cancers that grow in hormone-producing (endocrine) cells in the lining of the intestine.
These tumours account for 30% of small bowel malignancies.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST)

85% of tumours formerly called leiomyosarcomas are now known to be GISTs. GISTs start in cells that are part of the autonomic nervous system in the wall of the intestine. About 50 people are diagnosed with GIST in BC per year. Some GISTs are benign.

Sarcoma

Sarcomas are slow-growing tumours that account for 11% of small bowel cancers.
Types of sarcomas include:

liposarcomas – start in the fat cells
angiosarcomas – start in the blood vessels
neurofibrosarcomas – start in the nerves
leiomyosarcomas - start in the smooth muscles of the small intestine

Stages
Staging describes the extent of a cancer. The TNM classification system is used as the standard around the world. In general, a lower number in each category means a better prognosis. The stage of the cancer is used to plan the treatment.

T describes the site and size of the main tumour (primary)
N describes involvement of lymph nodes
M relates to whether the cancer has spread (presence or absence of distant metastases)

Stage 0
In situ disease only. The cancer has not spread through the inner layers of the small intestine.
Stage I
The cancer has grown through the inner layers of the small intestine, but has not spread into nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
Stage II
The cancer has spread through the wall of the small intestine, but has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III
The cancer has spread to lymph nodes, but it has not spread to other parts of the body.
Stage IV
The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment

Cancer therapies can be highly individualized – your treatment may differ from what is described below.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinomas are usually treated by surgery.
If the tumour cannot be removed, surgery may be done to bypass an obstruction or relieve bleeding.
Chemotherapy is only recommended for a tumour that cannot be surgically removed or for cancer that has spread.

Lymphoma (see also information about Lymphomas)

Surgery of small intestine lymphoma is not recommended, unless necessary for a definite diagnosis or to control the complications of bleeding or perforation.
Lymphomas are usually treated by radiation and/or combination chemotherapy.

Carcinoid

Surgery offers the best chance of cure.
Some patients with large tumours may undergo surgery to reduce the tumour, plus chemotherapy.
Drugs may be given to relieve the side effects of the excessive hormones produced by the tumour.

Sarcoma and GIST (see also information about Sarcomas)

Sarcomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumours should be referred to BC Cancer for management. Sarcomas are usually treated by surgery. If the tumour cannot be removed, surgery may be done to bypass an obstruction or relieve bleeding. When tumours cannot be removed surgically, radiation therapy may be helpful to control bleeding or pain.

Follow-up after Treatment

Guidelines for follow-up after treatment are covered on our website.
You will be returned to the care of your family doctor or specialist for regular follow-up. If you do not have a family doctor, please discuss this with your BC Cancer oncologist or nurse.
Follow-up testing is based on your type of cancer and your individual circumstances.
Life after Cancer focuses on the issues that cancer survivors can face.

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