What is Small Intestine Cancer?

It is a rare type of cancer that begins in the cells of the small intestine. The small intestine is located between the stomach and the large intestine of the digestive system. This organ, which is approximately 6 meters long, allows the absorption of nutrients. What is small intestine cancer? It is a disease that develops slowly but can cause serious health problems if not diagnosed early.

What are the symptoms of small intestine cancer?

In the early stages, it usually does not show any obvious symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose. However, as the disease progresses, some symptoms may appear. When these symptoms are taken into account, the chance of early diagnosis increases. Symptoms may vary depending on the size, location and spread of the tumor.

One of the most common symptoms is pain and cramps in the abdominal area. These pains usually occur intermittently and can become more severe over time. Pain that increases especially after meals may be a sign of intestinal obstruction.

Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite are important symptoms. When the body cannot absorb enough nutrients, this leads to weight loss.

Tumors that form in the small intestine can block intestinal transit, causing nausea and vomiting. This is especially evident when the tumor causes intestinal obstruction.

Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool, should also be noted. Dark or tarry stools may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract.

It can cause hidden internal bleeding. This leads to iron deficiency anemia. This manifests itself with symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath.

If a tumor blocks the bile ducts, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes may occur. This is usually seen in tumors located in the duodenum.

If one or more of these symptoms are noticed, a health professional should be consulted. This is of great importance for early diagnosis and treatment.

What is Small Intestine Cancer? What Causes It?

Small intestine cancer, is a rare type of cancer that develops in various parts of the small intestine. The small intestine is located between the stomach and the large intestine in the digestive system. This organ has a long structure that absorbs nutrients.

Cancer can originate from the cells lining the inner surface of the small intestine. Over time, it can spread to surrounding tissues or other organs. The exact cause is not known. However, certain risk factors may contribute to the development of this type of cancer.

Certain genetic syndromes increase the risk. Gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or FAP increase this risk. It is usually more common in individuals aged 60 and over. In men, this disease is slightly more common.

Having a history of colon cancer or certain other types of cancer increases your risk. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease, also increase your risk.

Consuming high-fat diets and low-fiber foods are risk factors. Alcohol use and smoking may also affect its development.

Small intestine cancer, may not show obvious symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, individuals with risk factors should have regular medical check-ups. Being careful about potential symptoms increases the chance of early diagnosis.

Early diagnosis can significantly increase treatment success. Therefore, if you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, you should have a health check-up.

How Is Small Colon Cancer Treated?

Small intestine cancer, is a rare but serious type of cancer of the digestive system. The treatment process varies depending on the type of cancer, its stage, the patient's general health status and the extent of cancer spread. The main treatment methods are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies.

The most common treatment method is surgery. In cancers diagnosed at an early stage, the part of the small intestine where the tumor is located and the surrounding lymph nodes are surgically removed. This procedure is usually successful and increases the chance of recovery. Surgery can also be performed in cases where cancer causes an obstruction in the intestine.

Drug therapy is used to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It is used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells or to control tumor growth. Chemotherapy can be effective for some types, especially adenocarcinoma.

Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It is often used to target cancer cells that remain after surgery. However, radiotherapy has limited effectiveness. It is mostly used for palliative purposes.

In some types, targeted drugs that prevent the growth of cancer cells can be used. In addition, immunotherapies that strengthen the immune system are among the treatment options.

The treatment plan is determined by a multidisciplinary team specific to the patient's condition. What is small intestine cancer? Finding an early answer to the question is of great importance in the diagnosis process. Early diagnosis is the most important element that increases the success of treatment.