Intestine Cancer

Tests that study the intestine area are used to detect, diagnose and stage intestine cancer. To plan treatment, it is important to know the type of small intestine cancer and if the tumor can be removed by surgery. The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general health, including signs of the disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual and a history of the patient’s health.
• Blood studies: Blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
• Liver function tests: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the liver. A higher than normal amount of a substance can be a sign of the disease.
• Endoscopy: A procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body to check for abnormal areas. There are different types of endoscopy.
• Laparotomy: A surgical procedure in which an incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.
• Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be checked for cancer.
• Upper GI series with small bowel follow-through: A series of x-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel.
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles.
• MRI: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

Surgery is the most common treatment for intestinal cancer. Oncologists perform this surgery to remove cancerous tumors of the small intestine.

In some cases, Whipple procedure and Palliative procedure may also be appropriate. In advanced cases of small intestine cancer, surgery may not be an option because the spread of the disease. Palliative surgery may be performed to relieve symptoms such as pain and nausea caused because of a tumor blocking the small intestine.

Usually the standard treatment used is Resection and Bypass

Resection: It is a surgery to remove part or all of an organ that contains cancer. The resection may include the small intestine and adjoining organs (if the cancer has spread).

Bypass: It is a surgery to allow food in the small intestine to bypass a tumor that is blocking the intestine but cannot be removed. Even if the doctor removes all the cancer, some patients may be given radiation therapy after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells.

After the intestinal cancer surgery, the patients will need you to do deep breathing and leg exercises to stop you from getting a chest infection or blood clots in your legs. A drip will be used to give fluids until you are eating and drinking again and a catheter will also be used to drain urine. You will not be allowed to eat or drink for a few days to allow the anastomosis to heal. A tube going to the stomach through the nose may be placed for a few days. You will gradually be allowed to eat food. You will go home in a few days, depending on how you are doing. Depending on the report, further treatment may be needed. This could include radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Make sure to contact your doctor in case of any new symptoms, such as fever, wound drainage, severe pain, weakness, swelling or infection.

• Q. How do I prevent Intestinal cancer?
  To lower the risks of getting intestinal cancer people should get their colorectal polyps (nodular growths of tissue developing in the lining of a cavity) that may be benign or malignant removed. People should also alter their eating habits - cut down on fat and increase fiber in their diet.
• Q. What are the risk factors for developing colorectal cancer?
  Studies show that certain factors increase colorectal cancer risk. The following are:
  Polyps – Most colorectal cancers develop in polyps. Polyps are benign, but they may become cancerous over time.
  Age – Colorectal cancer risk increases as people get older.
  Family history – Close relatives of a person who has had colorectal cancer have a higher than average risk of developing the disease.
  Familial polyposis – This is an inherited condition in which hundreds of polyps develop in the colon and rectum.
  Diet – The risk of developing colon cancer seems to be higher in people whose diet is high in fat, low in fruits and vegetables and low in high-fiber foods.
  Ulcerative colitis –  The risk of colon cancer is much greater than average for people who have this disease.
• Q. What can I do to detect it?
  Treatment is most effective before the disease spreads. During regular checkups, get a digital rectal exam.
  Starting 40 years onwards, have an annual fecal occult blood test. The test is done because colorectal cancer may cause hidden bleeding. From the age of 50, have a Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years. This is an exam of the rectum and lower colon using a Sigmoidoscope.
• Q. What are the symptoms of Intestinal cancer?
  Colorectal cancer can cause many symptoms. Some are as follows:
  Change in bowel habits
  Diarrhea or constipation
  Blood in or on the stool
  General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness and/or cramps)
  Frequent gas pains
  A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
  Constant tiredness
• Q. What do I need to know about the treatment for Intestinal cancer?
  Treatment plan varies from patient to patient as per the needs. Treatment for Intestinal cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the patient’s general health and other factors.
• Q. What methods of treatment are available for Intestinal cancer?
  Intestinal cancer is generally treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. New treatment approaches such as biological therapy and improved ways of using current methods are being studied in clinical trials. A patient may have one form of treatment or a combination.
• Q. What are the side effects of Intestinal cancer treatment?
  It is often hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are removed. Because healthy tissue may also be damaged, treatment can cause unpleasant side effects. The side effects of cancer treatment are different for each person and they may even be different from one treatment to the next. Doctors try to plan treatment in ways that keep side effects to a minimum.
• Q. When should I call my doctor?
  Call your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
  • Fever over 101° F after the surgery
  • Rising pain or swelling
  • Redness or tenderness
  • Numbness