Duodenal cancer is a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer that can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and weight loss. Risk factors include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, colon polyps, and a high-fat diet. Diagnosis may involve physical exams, stool samples, CT scans, X-rays, and liver function tests. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, such as the Whipple procedure.
Duodenal cancer is cancer that starts in the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. It can also be referred to as small bowel cancer and is a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer. Gastrointestinal cancer can develop anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, esophagus and small intestine.
Although duodenal cancer is considered rare, there are certain risk factors associated with developing this cancer. People who have celiac disease or Crohn’s disease are at higher risk. Having colon polyps also increases your chances of developing duodenal cancer. A high-fat diet is also a risk factor.
Symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. Some people may feel a lump in their abdomen. Duodenal cancer interferes with digestion, and heartburn and acid reflux can develop. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may also develop, resulting in bloody stools. Fatigue is also a common symptom, especially as the cancer progresses.
Most duodenal tumors are adenocarcinomas. Other types of tumors are carcinoids and sarcomas. Although carcinoids and sarcomas can develop in the duodenum, they are more common elsewhere in the small intestine.
Because many of the symptoms are similar to other types of gastrointestinal disease, various medical tests may be needed to make a diagnosis. A physical exam is done to check for lumps in the abdomen. A stool sample may be recommended to check for blood in the stool.
Additional tests that may be recommended include a CT scan or an X-ray of the abdomen. A barium enema may be done, which involves inserting a liquid form of barium into the rectum. Barium coats the intestines and this allows the intestines to be visualized on an X-ray. A liver function test, which measures the substance released by the liver, can also be used to help make a diagnosis.
Treatment for duodenal cancer often includes chemotherapy and possibly radiation therapy. The type of treatment will depend on the patient’s age, the stage of the cancer, and any other health conditions that may be present. Surgery may be an option in some cases.
When surgery occurs, a method known as a Whipple procedure may be performed. During a Whipple, the duodenum is removed along with part of the stomach. The stomach and pancreas are then attached to a different section of the small intestine called the jejunum. This is considered major surgery and may not be recommended in all cases.
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