Small intestine cancer

Small intestine cancer is one of the least common types of malignant pathologies that affect the digestive system. According to statistics, it accounts for 2-4% of all malignant diseases of the digestive system. Most often, small bowel cancer is recorded at 60 years of age and older. In men, this disease is diagnosed several times more often than in women.

Despite the fact that bowel cancer is a dangerous and complex malignant disease, it can be treated quite well if the diagnosis is carried out in the early stages and the therapy is chosen correctly. And even in the later stages, today there is an opportunity to continue the fight against the disease. Specialized clinics offer effective therapies that can significantly improve the health status and prolong the life of patients.

Causes of small intestine cancer

The exact causes of small bowel cancer are currently unknown. Most often, before the formation of a cancerous tumor begins, inflammatory processes are observed in the small intestine. It is noticed that oncological neoplasms of the small intestine are preceded by certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

• enteritis;
• duodenitis;
• diverticulitis;
• celiac disease;
• Crohn’s disease;
• benign tumors.

Among the factors that can contribute to the development of oncology of the small intestine are the following:

• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• food, in which there are a lot of canned foods, fried foods, foods containing a high amount of carcinogens;
• ionizing radiation;
• hereditary predisposition.

Types of small intestine cancer

Depending on which part of the small intestine the tumor originated in, doctors distinguish between:

• duodenal cancer (the initial section of the small intestine);
• ileum cancer (lower part of the small intestine);
• jejunal cancer (middle part of the small intestine).

The most common neoplasms are in the duodenum, accounting for more than half of small intestine cancer cases.

Depending on the characteristics of tumor growth, there are:

• Exophytic neoplasm. A tumor grows inside the intestine, narrowing its passage, which can lead to its complete closure and obstruction.
• Endophytic neoplasm. Tumor growth occurs inside the intestinal wall. Over time, this can lead to perforation of the intestinal wall, intestinal bleeding and peritonitis.

The aggressiveness of the tumor and how the tumor responds to treatment depends on the histological type of cancer cells. In the small intestine, there may be:

• Adenocarcinoma of the small intestine. It develops from glandular cells that are in the mucous membrane. This is the most common type of small bowel cancer and most commonly occurs in the duodenum.
• Carcinoma of the small intestine. These are neuroendocrine tumors that are most often found in the ileum. They metastasize very quickly and lead to intestinal obstruction.
• Sarcoma of the small intestine. It can develop from cells of different tissues (connective, vascular, muscle). It is characterized by an intensive type of growth. More often it is found in the iliac region.
• Lymphoma of the small intestine. It develops in the lymphatic tissue, more often in the ileum. This type of cancer can occur with long-term untreated celiac disease.

Symptoms and signs of small intestine cancer

At the first stages of development, the pathology does not have any specific symptoms, so the initial stages often go unnoticed. In case of small intestine cancer, the signs of the appearance of a tumor may be the following:

• frequent diarrhea, constipation, flatulence;
• intermittent nausea;
• constant increased weakness;
• causeless weight loss;
• periodic pain in the abdomen with spasms, most often the pain is localized in the upper abdomen.

With further progression of the disease, additional complaints arise:

• increased pain associated with tumor growth;
• feces interspersed with blood;
• problems with emptying, which occur due to the blockage of the intestinal passage by a tumor.

In later stages, the condition may be complicated by intestinal bleeding, the integrity of the intestinal walls may be violated, because of this, the contents of the intestine may enter the abdominal cavity, which provokes an inflammatory process. Also in the later stages, intestinal obstruction occurs. Bleeding, peritonitis, obstruction are life-threatening conditions that require urgent medical attention.

In the later stages of development, the pathology can spread to other areas: the intestines, liver, pancreas, which can lead to symptoms of pancreatitis, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, signs of liver failure and intestinal ischemia.

Where does small bowel cancer metastasize?

Metastases can appear at stage 3 of the disease. First, single metastases occur and nearby lymph nodes are affected. Later, metastases can spread to other organs and become numerous.

The liver is most often affected. In addition, in the last stages, metastatic formations can be found in the lungs, brain, and bones.

Diagnosis of cancer of the small intestine

If cancer of the small intestine is suspected, the diagnosis is aimed at establishing the localization of the tumor formation, its size, determining the type of tumor, its stage, and whether there are metastases. All this is important in order to develop treatment tactics and choose the best methods of therapy. For this purpose, instrumental and laboratory examinations can be prescribed.

Instrumental methods for diagnosing tumors of the small intestine

The most informative instrumental studies for malignant tumors in the small intestine are as follows:

• Multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) or MRI of the abdominal organs. Methods allow to identify a neoplasm, determine its location and size, and also determine whether there are metastases.
• Endoscopic methods. Depending on the location of the tumor, a colonoscopy or fibrogastroduodenoscopy can be done. These methods make it possible to examine the neoplasm in more detail. A tissue biopsy is also usually taken during the procedure. Then, in the laboratory, the type of cells taken for analysis is determined in order to accurately diagnose the form of cancer.
• Capsule endoscopy. This is a type of endoscopic examination, in which the patient swallows a special capsule in which a video camera is built. The capsule passes through the entire digestive tract and exits naturally, while the video information is sent to the computer and doctors can see in detail the state of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract and obtain valuable data on tumor parameters.
• Double balloon enteroscopy. The technique is similar to fibrogastroduodenoscopy, but during its implementation a special endoscope is used, which allows doctors to get a more extended view.

Other instrumental studies that can help identify metastases in various organs may also be prescribed:

• ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity organs;
• osteoscintigraphy;
• x-ray examination of the chest area;
• diagnostic laparoscopy.

What analysis shows cancer of the small intestine?

Laboratory diagnostics is also part of a comprehensive examination for suspected bowel cancer. Doctors may order the following tests:

• fecal occult blood test;
• blood biochemistry;
• testing for tumor markers of small intestine cancer.

However, it is impossible to accurately diagnose a malignant formation in the intestine using the above tests. The only analysis that can definitively determine whether there is a malignant neoplasm and what type it is, is the histological analysis of tissues taken during endoscopic examinations. This is a fairly accurate technique necessary in order to choose the tactics of further actions and select the most effective methods of treatment.

Would you like to undergo diagnostics and treatment of small intestine cancer in the best foreign specialized clinics? Contact us via the contact form or give us a call!

Small bowel cancer treatment

The main method of treatment if a tumor is found in the small intestine is surgery. The operation to remove the tumor completely with nearby tissues and nearby lymph nodes gives the maximum chance of recovery. Today, such operations can be performed laparoscopically with minimal trauma to healthy tissues, but whether such an approach is possible should be determined specifically for each case.

If the tumor is large enough, part of the intestine may be removed. In cases where the neoplasm is too large and cannot be completely removed, there are multiple metastases in other organs, doctors may prescribe palliative therapy. In this case, surgical methods of treatment can also be used.

For example, it is possible to install a stent in the intestinal lumen to avoid the development of intestinal obstruction. Another possibility is the creation of anastomoses (bypass connections), with the help of which it is possible to ensure the normal functioning of the intestine, bypassing the tumor.

In addition to surgical methods, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be prescribed. In some cases, surgery is performed first, and then chemotherapy or radiotherapy is prescribed, in others, the sequence may change. This is decided on an individual basis, taking into account the stage of the disease and other features of the condition.

In some foreign clinics, radiofrequency ablation can also be used to treat bowel cancer. In this case, an electrode is inserted into the tumor area, and then doctors act on it with high-energy radio waves, which contributes to the destruction of the neoplasm. The method can be used both to influence primary tumors and metastases.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy may also be used in some cases for certain types of small bowel cancer. In the first case, drugs are used that activate the body’s own immune response to cancer. In the second, special substances are used that act directly on tumor cells, with virtually no harmful effects on healthy tissues.

The most accurate diagnosis, the use of the latest most effective techniques and a personalized approach are the main rules of therapy that are implemented in the best clinics for the treatment of small intestine cancer. They allow patients to achieve good results, increase the chances of survival, or significantly prolong life and improve its quality.

Medical coordinators of MedTour will advise you on the possibilities of treating small intestine cancer in various leading clinics in the world, orient you on prices, and help you find the best specialists in this field. For a free consultation, contact us!

Treatment of small intestine cancer with vaccine therapy

One of the progressive and promising methods of treating small intestine cancer is the use of special anti-cancer vaccines. They allow the body to activate the immune system and connect the body to the active fight against cancer. There are several types of cancer vaccines:

• Autovaccine. It is made individually for each case, since its production requires the patient’s tumor cells. Doctors usually use this type of vaccine after surgery. The vaccine is highly compatible with other cancer treatments. Moreover, it allows patients to better tolerate chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vaccine can significantly improve the prognosis of treatment, increasing overall survival by 2 times.
• Xenovaccine. For its production, embryonic proteins of animal origin are used. The vaccine “teaches” the body to recognize cancer cells and activate the immune system to fight cancer. This technique is well combined with other methods of treatment. This vaccine does not require the presence of tumor tissue.

The use of cancer vaccines has shown to be effective in many types of cancer, including bowel cancer. They are used as part of complex therapy or as a method of prevention to avoid the occurrence of relapses. To learn more about the use of cancer vaccines, contact us!

Small intestine cancer – prognosis. How many years do people live with small intestine cancer?

Forecasts in the treatment of small intestine cancer depend on the general condition of the patient, the histological type of neoplasm, and the stage at which treatment was started. According to statistics, the five-year survival of patients with this pathology is:

• up to 90% for the first stage;
• 60-70% for the second stage;
• about 50% for the third stage;
• 5-10% for the fourth stage.

However, these figures show a general trend. The forecast must be made in each individual case. And it is very important how correctly the treatment will be selected. The prognosis can improve significantly if a person gets treatment at clinics that specialize in the treatment of bowel cancer.

The MedTour platform will help you find a clinic that uses the most advanced methods for diagnosing and treating small intestine cancer. Send us a request for a free consultation to contact the coordinating doctor.

Best small intestine cancer treatment clinics

In the best clinics that specialize in the treatment of small intestine cancer, there is a constant search for the most effective methods. Leading medical centers collaborate with scientists, participate in clinical trials and are the first to implement the most promising methods.

If you want to get into the best foreign clinics and receive the highest level of medical care, please contact us. The MedTour platform cooperates with leading medical centers and the best specialists from around the world.

For example, you can choose Germany and contact the Asklepios Barmbek Clinic, which, according to the prestigious Focus magazine, has been consistently ranked among the best clinics in Germany in recent years. Or you can go to Turkey and choose University hospital LIV Istinye, which uses the latest methods of treatment for various types of cancer, or other clinics for the treatment of small intestine cancer in Turkey.

The medical coordinator of MedTour will provide you with detailed information about the treatment options in different clinics, help you choose the clinic and doctor that will best suit your needs.

The best doctors for the treatment of small intestine cancer

In the treatment of malignant tumors, a lot depends on the qualifications of the attending physician. If the problem is dealt with by a good specialist with extensive clinical experience, working with modern equipment and using the latest methods of therapy, the patient will receive the best possible help even in severe cases and at the most advanced stages. By contacting the best specialists in the treatment of small bowel cancer, you will be able to adopt the most advanced methods that will increase your chances of confronting the disease.

The MedTour platform cooperates with leading oncologists from different parts of the world. We will tell you about the treatment options with different specialists dealing with bowel problems and help you choose the right doctor, taking into account the characteristics of your condition.

Send us a request via the contact form to get a free consultation!