I heard recently that the grandma to a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine, and I was like, mehn, the small intestine has a cancer of its own? That is very scary, but the reality is that it exists. Small intestine cancer happens when malignant cells form in the small intestine, or small bowel. The small intestine is an important part of the body's digestive system, which includes the gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and liver.
Image source
The small intestine is a part of the gastrointestinal tract, which is a pathway of organs that encompasses the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The small intestine is the connection between your stomach and large intestine, and it consists of three parts: the jejunum, which is the middle section; the duodenum, which is the first section close to the stomach; and the ileum, which is the last and the longest section of the small intestine.
Small intestinal cancer is a rare situation; it makes up only about 3% of gastrointestinal cancer cases in the United States. Other related cancers like rectal cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer are much more common. Cancers of the small intestine are classified based on the type of cells where the cancer begins.
Adenocarcinomas begin in the glandular epithelial cells lining the small intestine; around one-third of cancer cases affecting the small intestine are adenocarcinomas. Carcinoid is another type of small intestine cancer tumor that begins in the neuroendocrine cells, which usually help the body to produce hormones and at the same time control the release of digestive juice into the small intestine.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, it is a type of white blood cell found in the lymphatic system. This lymphatic system is an important part of the body's immune system that helps the body fight off abnormal cells or germs that may lead to sickness. Sarcomas are a type of small intestinal cancer that begins in the connective tissues, such as the muscle or cartilage. The most common type of sarcoma that affects the small intestine is called a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
Malignant tumors form in the small intestine when cancer cells rapidly multiply, forming a mass. After some time, cancer cells may break away from the original tumor and travel through the lymph nodes or blood to other places in the body where other tumors may form. This process is called metastasis. Basically, cancer cells form because of genetic mutations, or changes in the DNA of a cell.
credit
The same way the types of small intestine cancer vary is the same way their symptoms vary, as well as their location. Tumors can be asymptomatic, which means they are not causing any symptoms; they can only be found accidentally during an imaging procedure, which is usually for an unrelated issue. Symptoms come in the form of anemia, jaundice, a lump in the abdomen, abdominal cramps, flushed skin, and bloody stool.
There is a greater chance of getting small intestinal cancer if you are above 65 years old, a male, have a family member who has the condition, or have autoimmune disorders or inflammatory conditions.
Treatment depends on the stage and type of colon cancer; the medical expert will also take into consideration age, overall health, and some other conditions that will guarantee a better treatment option. No single treatment for this cancer, but available options are: immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. This treatment aims to take out the cancer, prevent the spread, and limit every form of uncomfortable symptoms.
For Further Studies.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6225-small-intestine-cancer
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150496#treatment-options
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6473503/
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cancer-of-the-small-intestine
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/small-intestine-cancer/about/what-is-small-intestine-cancer.html
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues? You can find my YouTube channel where you can listen and watch any episode for free. Please, do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here. Kindly do well to keep them coming.