Small Bowel Cancer

Overview

Mayo Clinic diagnoses and treats small bowel cancer. Special treatments include minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery and small bowel-sparing procedures. Experts from several medical specialties work together to diagnose the condition and develop a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient. In addition, the National Cancer Institute has designated the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center as a comprehensive cancer center. This designation is given to cancer centers whose cancer researchers and clinicians meet stringent standards. Mayo Clinic surgeons are known nationally for their skill. They perform thousands of gastrointestinal surgeries each year. The unique team approach at Mayo Clinic combines leading clinical expertise in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and oncologic surgery to coordinate of care for patients requiring multidisciplinary treatments.

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic physicians use high-resolution imaging studies, the latest in endoscopic procedures, and other state-of-the-art methods to diagnose small bowel cancer. Read more about diagnosis of small bowel cancer.

Treatment Options

Gastroenterologic surgeons at Mayo Clinic have expertise in surgical oncology. To treat small bowel cancers, they use the latest surgical techniques in operating rooms with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment equipment. Mayo medical and radiation oncologists frequently treat different types of small bowel cancer, and plan to open a clinical trial specifically for advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma in 2006. Mayo Clinic has long been a referral center for small bowel carcinoid tumors, with expertise in medical and surgical management of this disease through a multidisciplinary approach. Read more about treatment options for small bowel cancer.

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About Small Bowel Cancer

The small bowel (small intestine) is approximately 15 feet long, most of the length of the digestive system. It is in the abdomen and breaks down food to enable the body to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Unlike colon cancer, the second most deadly cancer in the United States, small bowel cancer is rare. It accounts for only 2 percent of gastrointestinal cancer cases. Read about the types of small bowel cancer.