Is small intestine cancer serious?

Small intestine cancer is a serious disease. Aside from the pain, discomfort, and fatigue that it causes and the chance that it could come back even after successful treatment, some people with small intestine cancer have a low 5-year survival rate.

Five-year survival rate is a measure that doctors use to express how deadly a particular cancer is, based on data from people who have had that cancer. This rate is the percentage of people who have survived 5 years or more after their diagnosis with cancer. Five-year survival rates for small intestine cancer range from 55% for people whose cancers remain only in the small intestine, down to 5% for people whose cancers have spread to other parts of the body.

Cancers of the small intestine are relatively rare. There are several types. The typical adenocarcinoma can be quite serious if it is found late in its course. Other types of small intestine cancer such as neuroendocrine cancer or "carcinoid" often develop slowly and survival rates are more favorable. 
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.