Small bowel cancer: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is small bowel cancer?

Small bowel cancer is a rare disease that affects the small intestine. The cells in the small intestine tissue will change or mutate. This condition causes these cells to grow uncontrollably, so that a malignant tumor is formed.

The small intestine is the organ that connects your stomach to the large intestine. Its main function is to digest food, fats, vitamins, and other substances that the body needs.

The small intestine is about 6 meters long and consists of 3 parts, namely:

• duodenum (top)
• jejunum (middle part)
• ileum (lower part)

The main symptom that is usually felt when a person has this disease is pain like cramps in the stomach accompanied by vomiting.

Generally, this disease is influenced by dietary factors and the sufferer's medical history. Several small bowel examination tests are performed to detect, diagnose, and stage the cancer.

How common is small bowel cancer?

Small bowel cancer is a type of cancer that is quite rare. This disease occurs only 1 time in 10 cases of gastrointestinal cancer, and 1 in 100 cases of cancer of all types.

Generally, this disease is more common in elderly patients, namely 60 to 70 years and over. In addition, this type of cancer is slightly more common in male patients than in female patients.

Several risk factors also play a role in the occurrence of this disease, such as diet, intestinal problems, and other health conditions.

To find out more information about small intestine cancer, you can immediately consult the nearest doctor.

Type

What are the types of small bowel cancer?

The small intestine is an organ made up of many different types of cells. Therefore, various types of cancer cells can develop in this organ.

In general, small bowel cancer can be divided into 5 types, namely:

1. Adenocarcinoma

As many as 40 to 10 cases of small bowel cancer are classified as adenocarcinoma type. So that, this type is among the most commonly found.

Adenocarcinoma initially develops in cells that are in the wall of the small intestine. Initially it looks like a benign tumor, but some can potentially turn into a malignant tumor.

Adenocarcinoma is found mostly in the duodenum.

2. Sarcomas

Sarcomas are cancer cells that appear in supporting tissues in the body. One of the most common types of sarcoma cells is gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

GIST can grow anywhere in the small intestine. Another type of sarcoma cell is leiomycaroma. Generally, this type of selini is located on the muscle wall of the small intestine.

3. Lymphoma

Lymphoma first appears in the lymph tissue in the small intestine. Lymph tissue plays a role in regulating the body's immune system. Lymphoma that appears in the small intestine is usually non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Lymphoma of the small intestine is more common in the jejunum and ileum.

4. Carcinoid tumor

Carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumors occur in hormone-producing cells in the small intestine. Generally, these cells are found in the ileum or appendix.

5. Secondary cancer

Sometimes, small bowel cancer can be secondary cancer. This means, the spread of cancer cells comes from other parts of the body.

Generally, the organs that can spread secondary cancer cells are the skin (melanoma), lungs, breast, and colon.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of small bowel cancer?

The signs and symptoms of small bowel cancer vary widely, but most patients will experience cramping or pain in the stomach. The pain is often accompanied by vomiting and bloody bowel movements.

Following are the main symptoms of this disease:

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Lose weight without an obvious cause
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloody bowel movements due to injury to the small intestine
• Fatigue, due to losing a lot of red blood cells
• Diarrhea

Sometimes, cancer can cause a blockage in the intestine. This condition is sometimes in the form of partial or complete blockage. The symptoms are:

• Gag
• Constipation
• Stomach ache
• Bloated

In rare cases, a blockage in the small intestine can cause the intestine to tear. This is a very serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

• Severe stomach pain
• Feel dizzy
• Fainting
• The stomach is swollen

The symptoms mentioned may also be caused by other health conditions. Additionally, there may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What are the causes of small bowel cancer?

Until now, doctors and experts do not know what the exact cause of small intestine cancer is. However, a common cause of cancer cell formation in the body is a change or mutation in DNA.

DNA in the cells of the small intestine plays a role in normal bowel function. Healthy body cells will develop and duplicate naturally, then die and are replaced with new cells.

However, in cells that are damaged and mutated, the cells will continue to grow and continue to live uncontrollably. This excessive build-up of cells can trigger the growth of tumor tissue.

Over time, cancer cells can develop and attack the surrounding healthy tissue. Then, these cells can spread to other parts of the body.

Risk factors

What are my risk factors for small bowel cancer?

Small bowel cancer is a disease that can affect people of all ages and races. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this disease.

However, risk factors can also mean that they do not have an effect. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you can get this disease. Many people with this disease have few or no risk factors.

The following are risk factors for small bowel cancer:

1. Age

If you are elderly, to be precise over 60 to 70 years, your risk for developing this disease is much greater than those of younger people.

2. Gender

Cases of this disease are more common in male patients than female.

3. Genetic mutations in family descent

Several gene mutations passed down from parents can increase the risk of developing various diseases, including small intestine cancer.

4. Suffering from Crohn's disease

People with Crohn's disease have a greater chance of developing cancer. Crohn's disease is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the digestive tract. People with this disease are more prone to adenocarcinoma type cancer.

5. Suffering from celiac disease

For people with celiac disease, eating foods that contain gluten can cause the body's immune system to attack the intestinal wall. Patients with celiac disease have a higher risk of developing lymphoma type cancer.

6. Have hereditary intestinal polyps

In some cases, people have polyps that develop in the intestines and rectum. If this is not treated immediately, the polyp is at risk of turning into a malignant tumor.

7. Weak immune system

If your body has a compromised immune system, you may develop small bowel cancer. For example, you may have HIV infection or have had an organ transplant.

8. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages

Overall, smoking and alcohol can cause damage to the functions of organs, including the small intestine. If you actively smoke and drink alcoholic beverages in excess, your chances of developing this disease are greater.

9. Improper diet

Eating too much fat, salty, and less containing antioxidants or fiber can increase your risk of developing this disease.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose small bowel cancer?

Small bowel cancer is a disease that is somewhat difficult to diagnose. During the diagnosis process, the doctor may perform a thorough physical examination.

The doctor will ask what your complaints are, your symptoms, and your medical history. The doctor will also perform an examination with scans to monitor the progress of the cancer. For example, through X-rays, CT scans, or MRI.

You may also be asked to do an endoscopy (insert a small camera into the esophagus, stomach, and intestines) to see the location of the cancer.

1. Test shooting

Image capture tests are done to get a clear picture of the inside of your body, especially the small intestine. The tests that are usually run are:

• CT scan
• MRI scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• X-ray of the upper digestive system and small intestine
• Nuclear medicine scans

2. A test to see the inside of the small intestine

An endoscopy is done by inserting a camera into your small intestine, so that the doctor can see the intestinal wall more clearly. The procedures carried out are:

• Upper endoscopy
• Capsule endoscopy
• Enteroscopy single-balloon
• Enteroscopy double balloon
• Spiral enteroscopy

3. Operations

Surgery is performed because sometimes cancer cells are located in areas of the body that are difficult to detect. Usually, the doctor will recommend a laparotomy or laparoscopy for this test.

The doctor will insert a camera for this surgical procedure and look at the inside of your stomach.

Other tests that may be done include:

• Blood tests to look for substances in the body
• Examination of liver function (liver), can be with blood tests
• Stool examination that can detect blood

What are the treatment options for small bowel cancer?

The treatment your doctor recommends depends on the type of cancer you have and how far it has spread. Generally, treatment consists of surgery, chemotherapy, therapy targeted drug , and immunotherapy. Surgery is one of the most preferred treatments.

1. Operation

The surgeon will remove all the cancer cells if possible. If it only affects part of the small intestine, the doctor may cut the affected part.

However, if almost all parts of the small intestine have cancer, the doctor must remove your entire small intestine.

2. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is considered effective in killing cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually a combination of drugs to kill cells that are growing too fast, including cancer cells.

3. Targeted drug therapy

These drugs focus on certain weaknesses present in cancer cells. By overcoming this weakness, this drug can kill cancer cells. This drug is usually used to treat lymphoma and GIST types of cancer.

4. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy drugs help your body's immune system fight cancer cells. Your body's immune system may not attack cancer cells because they produce proteins that confuse the immune system.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat small bowel cancer?

It is not known exactly what reduces the risk of small bowel cancer because this disease is very rare. If you want to reduce your risk of cancer in general, you may want to try the steps below:

• Eat vegetables, fruit, and whole grains
• Reduce alcohol consumption, if necessary, stop altogether
• Quit smoking
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
• Maintain normal body weight

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.