Note: The information on cancer types on the ACRF website is not designed to provide medical or professional advice and is for information only. If you have any health problems or questions please consult your doctor.
Small Intestine Cancer is a rare disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the small intestine.
The small intestine is part of the body’s digestive system and is a long tube that connects the stomach to the large intestine. It folds many times to fit inside the abdomen.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of Small Intestine Cancer. It starts in the glandular cells found in the lining of the small intestine and most of these tumours occur in the part of the small intestine near the stomach. They may grow and block the intestine.
Other types of small intestinal cancer include:
Possible signs of Small Intestine Cancer include abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.
It is important to note that there are a number of conditions that may cause these symptoms, not just small intestine cancer.
Your GP should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
Tests that examine the small intestine are used to detect, diagnose, and stage small intestine cancer. These can include:
If Small Intestine Cancer is diagnosed, treatment options for the cancer depend on the stage of the disease, the severity of symptoms and the person’s general health. Treatment options can include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or biologic therapies to destroy cancer cells.
Small intestine cancer is most commonly treated with surgery. The different types of surgery include:
Some patients may be given radiation therapy after surgery to kill any potential cancer cells that are left.
Immunotherapy can also be another treatment that is used. The therapy involves using a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer.
1 in 3
men will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75
Cancer
is the leading cause of death of children by disease
1 in 4
women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75
Together we can change the statistics and outsmart cancer for good
REFERENCES
Cancer in Australia 2017, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
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