{"id":1404,"date":"2022-11-11T09:15:05","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T09:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/?p=1404"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:03:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T14:03:01","slug":"small-intestine-cancer-the-rarest-type-of-gastrointestinal-tract-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/small-intestine-cancer-the-rarest-type-of-gastrointestinal-tract-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Intestine Cancer: The Rarest Type of Gastrointestinal Cancer | Medicus Elite"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Small intestine cancer is among the rarest <\/span><a href=\"\/omar-rashid\/surgical-oncology\/small-intestine-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">gastrointestinal cancer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> diseases, which may develop in the form of carcinoid tumors, lymphoma, sarcomas, and adenocarcinomas. The condition occurs when malignant cells develop in the small bowel or small intestine, the part of the human body&#8217;s digestive system, including such organs as the GI (gastrointestinal tract), gallbladder, pancreas, and liver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">More specifically, the small intestine is a part of the GI tract, connecting the stomach to the large intestine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The small intestine can be divided into three distinctive parts:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Duodenum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the first section of the organ nearest to the stomach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Jejunum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the small intestine&#8217;s middle section<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ileum <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2013 the longest and last section of the organ<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, intestinal cancers in this organ will form either in the ileum or duodenum. Still, the disease is rare and responsible for only 3% of gastrointestinal malignancies in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this article, <\/span><a title=\"Rectal Cancer: One of The Most Common Cancer Diagnoses in USA\" href=\"http:\/\/omar-rashid\/rectal-cancer-one-of-the-most-common-cancer-diagnoses-in-usa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Omar Rashid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will aim to discuss the most prominent small intestine cancer symptoms, how the disease may affect the gastrointestinal tract, and, naturally, also mention possible treatment options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Types of Small Intestine Cancers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most often, the different small intestine cancer types are classified based on the cell types where the mutations start. As such, they can be:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Carcinoid tumors <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">develop in the neuroendocrine cells. These cells help digestive functions and hormone production. More than half of small intestine malignancies will be caused by carcinoid tumors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sarcomas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> develop in muscles, cartilage, and other connective tissues. GIST or gastrointestinal stroma tumors are the most common tumors from this category.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Adenocarcinomas <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">occur in the glands in the small intestine&#8217;s lining. Around one-third of malignant small intestine diseases are adenocarcinomas.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lymphoma<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tumors start in the lymphocyte cells or white blood cells in the lymphatic system.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Leading Causes and Small Intestine Cancer Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1406 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms.jpg\" alt=\"Young Man Having Nausea at Home.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Leading-Causes-and-Small-Intestine-Cancer-Symptoms.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The main symptoms of small intestine cancer will depend on the tumor type and location. There are cases when the malignancies cause no symptoms at all (most commonly, in the case of carcinoid tumors) and will often be discovered during unrelated imaging procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, the most common small intestine symptoms may typically include the following:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cramps and pain in the abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An abdominal lump<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anemia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yellowing of the skin and the eyes (jaundice)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Back-colored, bloody stool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Purplish-colored, flushed skin, most noticeably in the upper body and the arms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When discussing the causes of these malignancies, patients should know that all cancers form due to genetic mutations and cell DNA changes leading to uncontrolled growth and multiplication. Researchers are still determining what triggers these mutations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Risk Factors<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some conditions may increase the risk of malignancy. In the case of small intestine tumors, these are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Age: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The disease is more prevalent among older patients, with the average age of diagnosis being 65.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Gender:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Studies show that these malignancies are slightly more prevalent in men.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Race:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> US statistics show that the disease appears more common in black people, except for lymphoma, which is more common in white people.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Inherited conditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Some inherited genetic problems like FAP or familial adenomatous polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome may increase the risk of small intestine cancer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>A weak immune system or autoimmune disorders:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Celiac disease, Crohn&#8217;s disease, HIV\/AIDS, radiation therapy, and other immune system-weakening conditions and therapies may also increase small intestine cancer risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I<\/span><b>nflammatory conditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Chronic inflammation in the bowels may increase risks as well.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Diagnosis<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These malignancies may be challenging to diagnose because they are rare and because of the various symptoms they may produce. Because of this, patients may undergo extensive testing before medical experts can establish a diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Physical Exam: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The doctors will perform a physical exam to look for any disease signs and will also take a look at your medical history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Blood tests: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To establish a proper diagnosis, experts may also recommend performing blood chemistry studies and a complete blood count.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Imaging tests:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Performing an endoscopy, pill endoscopy, MRI and CT scans, and barium and abdominal X-rays, healthcare providers may be able to locate the problem and establish a diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Surgery: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If all else fails, doctors may also opt to perform surgical procedures like laparoscopy and laparotomy to help make a precise diagnosis for small intestine cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During diagnosis, doctors will also stage the tumor, giving more information about its location, size, and whether it has spread. Staging is crucial as it will also determine the best route for small intestine cancer treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Small Intestine Cancer Treatment Options<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1407 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options.jpg\" alt=\"Doctor Explaining Something to Patient\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/11\/Small-Intestine-Cancer-Treatment-Options.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The most optimal course of treatment will mostly depend on the type of cancer the patient has, the malignancy&#8217;s stage, location, and the cell&#8217;s characteristics inside the tumor. Patient preference will also influence the kind of treatment that will ultimately be administered.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Surgery<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is the most common small intestine cancer treatment, and patients may undergo several different procedures:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Resection,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> where the surgeon removes the entire organ or only the affected part. The surgeon may also remove segments of the small intestine and nearby organs if cancer has metastasized. Afterward, they will join the cut ends of the organ together.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Bypass,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> where the surgeon will perform a procedure that will allow the food to pass or go around the small intestine because of a tumor that can&#8217;t be removed and blocks the intestine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chemotherapy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This treatment uses drugs to stop the malignant cells from multiplying or killing them altogether. The drugs may target organ-specific cancer cells or aim to destroy any malignant cells throughout the entire body. The first treatment is called regional chemotherapy, while the latter is referred to as systemic chemotherapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Often, doctors will recommend chemotherapy post-surgery to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Radiation Therapy\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This method uses high-energy X-rays and other radiation solutions to eliminate cancer cells. This may be a recommended small intestine cancer treatment option if the tumor can&#8217;t be removed. Often, radiation therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy after surgery to get rid of remaining malignant cells.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Somatostatin Analogs and Targeted Therapy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Somatostatin analogs are compounds that inhibit specific hormone production and may help control the disease or ease any symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Targeted therapy focuses on the weaknesses in the cancer cells, using specific compounds to exploit these weaknesses and kill the malignant cells in the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Immunotherapy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This treatment method aims to boost the immune system to the point where it can fight cancer cells. The immune system naturally tends to fight off germs and abnormal cells. Cancer cells often get past these natural defense lines, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/treatments-and-side-effects\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">immunotherapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> aims to make it easier for the patient&#8217;s body to recognize and eliminate these cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Expertise and Compassionate Care Go a Long Way<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Understanding the nature and treatment of small intestine malignancies can be challenging for patients because the disease is rare, and treatment options can vary based on many factors. Because of this, patient care plans should be created carefully, considering every crucial aspect while also catering to the patient&#8217;s needs. This is where Dr. Omar Rashid and his team of experienced professionals come in. They strive to provide professional and compassionate care so patients can have the smoothest treatment journey possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reach out to us if you&#8217;d like to learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Small intestine cancer is among the rarest gastrointestinal cancer diseases, which may develop in the form of carcinoid tumors, lymphoma,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[133,132,130,131,134],"class_list":["post-1404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cancer","tag-gastrointestinal-tract","tag-intestinal-cancer","tag-small-intestine-cancer","tag-small-intestine-cancer-symptoms","tag-small-intestine-cancer-treatment"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}