Small intestine cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the small intestine. This type of cancer can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms vary. Receiving an accurate diagnosis from a trusted cancer specialist is vital for getting the best results.

When you come to Penn Medicine, you benefit from a multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists including gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons who work together to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan designed specifically for you. Our providers are highly experienced in using the most advanced techniques for diagnosing small intestine cancer, and they actively research better and more precise ways to detect small intestine cancer.

Staging small intestine cancer is important to determine the extent of the disease and to guide treatment decisions. The staging process typically follows the TNM system, which considers the size and extent of the primary tumor (T), the involvement of regional lymph nodes (N), and the presence of distant metastasis (M).

Small intestine cancer stages are typically categorized as follows:

• Stage 0: The cancer is found only in the innermost layer of the small intestine and has not spread. 
• Stage I: The cancer has grown into the layers of the small intestine wall but has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites. 
• Stage II: The cancer has grown into or through the outermost layers of the small intestine wall but has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites. 
• Stage III: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant sites. 
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

Each stage provides critical information that helps oncologists develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. Early stages might be treated with surgery alone, while more advanced stages might require additional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy.

Learn about small intestine cancer treatment at Penn Medicine