Types of small bowel cancer
There are four main types of small bowel cancer. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type.
About types of small bowel cancer
There are four main types of small bowel cancer (small intestine cancer). Doctors find out what type you have by looking at samples of tissue under a microscope. The different types are named after the cells where they develop. The doctor will diagnose what type of small bowel cancer you have. Then they can tell you about your treatment options.
For more information on other types of small bowel cancer, contact our cancer information nurses on the Macmillan Support Line on 0800 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Adenocarcinoma
These are the most common type of small bowel cancer. They start in the lining of the small bowel. They are usually in the duodenum.
Sarcoma
Sarcomas develop in the supportive tissues of the body. There are different types of sarcoma. The most common is a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). A GIST can develop in any part of the small bowel.
Other types include leiomyosarcomas. These are usually in the muscle wall of the small bowel, usually in the ileum.
Neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours
Neuroendocrine tumours start from cells that make hormones inside the small bowel. They usually start in the ileum.
Lymphomas
Lymphomas start in the lymph tissue of the small bowel. The lymph tissue is part of the body’s immune system. Small bowel lymphomas are usually non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs).
Small bowel lymphomas are most common in the ileum.
Secondary cancer in the small bowel
Occasionally, a small bowel cancer may be a secondary cancer. This means it has spread to the small bowel from a cancer that started somewhere else in the body (primary cancer). The most common cancers that might spread to the small bowel are:
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our small bowel cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
Overman M et al. Epidemiology, clinical features, and types of small bowel neoplasms. www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-clinical-features-and-types-of-small-bowel-neoplasms (accessed February 2019).
Cusack J et al. Treatment of small bowel neoplasms. www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-small-bowel-neoplasms (accessed February 2019).
Date reviewed
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