Small Intestine Cancer

Small Intestine Cancer starts in cells of the small intestine (small bowel). The small intestine is part of the digestive system. It is a hollow, tube-like organ in the abdomen. The small intestine is about  6 m (20 ft) long. Its principal purpose is to absorb and digest nutrients. The small intestine makes up more than 70 % of the length and 90% of the surface of the gastrointestinal  (GI) tract. The most common cancerous tumors of the small intestine are: lymphoma, sarcoma, carcinoids and adenocarcinoma.

About this Cancer

  • The small intestine makes up most of the digestive system and helps digest food and absorb vitamins. Small intestine cancer is an umbrella term for many cancers that affect different parts of the small bowel. It is rare and occurs more often in older people. 
  • According to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), mortality statistics for 2022 (number of deaths), state that 354 Canadians died from small intestine cancer, of which 184 (52%) were men and 170 (48%) were women.
  • As for incidence statistics for 2019 (number of new cases), 985 Canadians were diagnosed with small intestine cancer, of which 550 (56%) were men and 435 (44%) were women.
  • The 5-year net survival for small intestine cancer is 54%, meaning a little over half of the patients diagnosed with the cancer will survive for at least 5 years. 

Source: CCS Cancer Statistics 2024

  • Abdominal pain or cramps
  • Weight loss with no known reason
  • Lump in the abdomen
  • Blood in the stool
  • Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
  • Fatigue (low red blood cell count)
  • Nausea and vomiting

For more information, check out the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, or UCLA Health.

  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Smoking and alcohol use
  • High-fat diet (red meats and saturated fat)
  • Inherited syndromes/genetic conditions
  • Age
  • Polyps
  • Colon cancer

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society, or the Moffitt Cancer Center.

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests
  • Biopsy
  • Barium X-ray tests
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • Endoscopy
  • Liver function tests
  • Laparotomy

For more information, check out the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, or the Moffitt Cancer Center.

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy

For more information, check out the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, or the Mayo Clinic.

Resources

Small Intestine Cancer Groups

  • Canadian Digestive Health Foundation: Canada’s trusted resource on digestive health. Committed to providing useful, up-to-date information and research to help Canadians better manage digestive conditions and live healthier lives. Visit them at https://cdhf.ca/en/about-cdhf/who-we-are/