Esophagus Cancer

Intestine Cancer

Also called: Duodenal cancer, Ileal cancer, Jejunal cancer, Small intestine cancer

Your small intestine is part of your digestive system. It is a long tube that connects your stomach to your large intestine. Intestinal cancer is rare, but eating a high-fat diet or having Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or a history of colonic polyps can increase your risk.

Abdominal pain or lumps, weight loss for no reason or blood in the stool can be symptoms. Imaging tests that create pictures of the small intestine and the area around it can help diagnose intestinal cancer and show whether it has spread.

Surgery is the most common treatment. Additional options include chemotherapy, radiation or a combination.

General Information About Small Intestine Cancer

This Section

* Small intestine cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the small intestine.

* There are five types of small intestine cancer.

* Diet and health history can affect the risk of developing small intestine cancer.

* Possible signs of small intestine cancer include abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.

* Tests that examine the small intestine are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage small intestine cancer.

* Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Small intestine cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the small intestine.

The small intestine is part of the body’s digestive system, which also includes the esophagus, stomach, and large intestine. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The small intestine is a long tube that connects the stomach to the large intestine. It folds many times to fit inside the abdomen.

Gastrointestinal (digestive) system anatomy; shows esophagus, liver, stomach, colon, small intestine, rectum, and anus.

Anatomy of the lower digestive system, showing the colon and other organs.