Our approach
Treating small bowel cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach.
We assess the location and extent of the tumor, the presence of metastases, and the patient's overall condition. The treatment plan is developed jointly by surgeons, oncologists, endoscopists, and radiologists. Whenever possible, a radical operation is performed with complete removal of the tumor and the regional lymph nodes.
What is small bowel cancer?
Small bowel adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that develops from the glandular epithelium of the mucous membrane.
The tumor most often arises:
- in the duodenum
- in the jejunum
- in the ileum
Without treatment, the disease progresses and can spread to the lymph nodes and distant organs.
Why does small bowel cancer develop?
The risk of the disease is increased by:
- hereditary syndromes (Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Peutz–Jeghers syndrome)
- Crohn's disease
- celiac disease
- small bowel adenomas
- chronic inflammatory diseases
- age
In many patients, the exact cause cannot be determined.
Symptoms
In the early stages there may be no symptoms.
Possible manifestations:
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- anemia
- hidden or visible intestinal bleeding
- nausea
- vomiting
- bowel obstruction
- weakness
- loss of appetite
When to see a doctor
A consultation is recommended if:
- a small bowel tumor has been found
- you have unexplained anemia
- you have repeated episodes of bowel obstruction
- bleeding from the small bowel has been detected
- CT or MRI suggests a malignant tumor
- the optimal treatment strategy needs to be determined
How is the diagnosis made?
The following are used to determine the stage of the disease:
- consultation with a surgical oncologist
- laboratory tests
- computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- magnetic resonance imaging when indicated
- gastroscopy for duodenal tumors
- capsule or balloon enteroscopy when indicated
- tumor biopsy
- PET/CT in selected clinical situations
How is it treated?
The main treatment is radical surgery.
Depending on the location of the tumor, the following may be used:
- segmental resection of the small bowel
- resection of the duodenum
- pancreaticoduodenectomy for certain duodenal tumors
- lymph node dissection
- reconstructive bowel surgery
- systemic chemotherapy before or after surgery when indicated
Surgical treatment
At MSI we perform:
- radical small bowel resection
- oncological lymph node dissection
- laparoscopic operations in selected patients
- open operations for locally advanced tumors
- combined resections when the tumor has invaded neighboring organs
- palliative operations for complicated forms of the disease
All procedures are performed according to the principles of modern oncological surgery, achieving an R0 resection whenever possible.
Recovery after treatment
After surgery, modern ERAS protocols are used, allowing faster recovery of bowel function, fewer complications, and a shorter hospital stay.
Further treatment and follow-up are determined individually once the histology results are available.
Why choose MSI
- Specialization in oncological surgery of the digestive system
- Adherence to NCCN and ESMO international standards
- A multidisciplinary approach
- Modern laparoscopic technology
- Individual treatment planning
- Enhanced recovery protocols (ERAS)
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is one of the rarest malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Yes. Radical surgical removal of the tumor is the main treatment for localized small bowel cancer.
For some patients, systemic chemotherapy may be recommended after or before surgery. This decision is made once the stage of the disease and the histology results are known.
In many cases, yes. The final choice of approach depends on the location, size, and extent of the tumor.
The outlook depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. With early detection and radical removal of the tumor, the chances of long-term disease control are much higher, so timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial.