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The duodenum is the small intestine’s initial and shortest segment. It is situated between your stomach and the jejunum, the following section of your small intestine. The duodenum is a horseshoe-shaped organ that receives partially digested food from the stomach.
This organ is essential to the digestive process. To aid in the digestion of food passed from the stomach, chemical secretions and bile are emptied into the duodenum. Before the food reaches the jejunum, vitamins and other nutrients begin to enter into the body.
Though uncommon, duodenal cancer can disrupt the digestive process and hinder your body from getting the minerals it requires to function properly.
TYPES OF DUODENAL CANCER
Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer attacks the glandular cells that produce digestion chemicals, mucus, and other physiological fluids from internal organs.
Sarcoma: Sarcomas are malignant tumors that develop in the bone or soft tissues of the body, such as fat, blood vessels, and muscle.
Lymphoma: This form of cancer develops in the immune system.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Tumors from this cancer occur on the walls of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Carcinoid tumors: This cancer type’s tumors most commonly originate in the GI system and can induce carcinoid syndrome. They can also spread to other parts of the body and organs.
SYMPTOMS OF DUODENAL CANCER
Duodenal cancer is an uncommon type of gastrointestinal cancer. Tumors can prevent food from moving through the digestive tract when cancer cells grow in the duodenum.
When food cannot pass through the small intestine or the body is unable to absorb critical vitamins, you may suffer the following symptoms:
- cramps in the abdomen
- nausea
- constipation
- vomiting
- acid indigestion
- slimming down
- stools that are bloody
Symptoms of duodenal cancer typically show in the latter stages of the disease, once the tumor has grown large enough to obstruct food passage. You may see an abdominal lump at that point.
STAGES OF DUODENAL CANCER
Stage 0: Cancer cells are contained within the organ’s walls.
Stage 1: Cancer cells have only been seen in the duodenum and have not migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2: Cancer has spread from the colon to the connective tissues, muscles, and lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer cells have spread to other organs or portions of the small intestine.
Stage 4: Cancer has progressed to your abdomen, bones, or distant organs like the lungs, liver, or pancreas.
DIAGNOSIS OF DUODENAL CANCER
Among the methods used to detect cancer in the small intestine are:
- An MRI or CT scan, for example, produces precise images of your GI tract.
- endoscopy, which involves inspecting the inside of your GI tract using a flexible tube fitted with a small camera.
- A biopsy which is the removal of a small sample of tissue for analysis.
- A barium swallow which is an X-ray treatment used to assess your upper GI tract.
DUODENAL CANCER TREATMENT
Treatment for this rare cancer is highly dependent on the stage at which it is discovered. However, surgery, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, or both, is the most common and effective therapeutic option.
To allow food passage from the stomach, doctors will attempt to remove tumors in the duodenum. The Whipple technique, which removes the duodenum, gallbladder, and a part of the pancreas, is another surgical possibility.
Chemotherapy is an alternative to surgery for destroying aggressive cancer cells. However, this therapeutic strategy has a variety of potential adverse effects, including:
- hair thinning
- nausea
- vomiting
- fatigue
- slimming down
Some people choose for more holistic therapy, typically adding home medicines and herbs into their daily practice. Some herbal medicines can help to reduce malignant tumors and alleviate unpleasant symptoms. If you want to try such treatments, consult your doctor first. They may have suggestions for what to try or worries about potential side effects from medications you’re taking.
CONCLUSION
The initial segment of the small intestine is affected by duodenal cancer. If it is not treated, it can be fatal. Because it is so uncommon, research is still being conducted to develop more effective treatments and methods to detect the cancer early.
Because symptoms appear later in the disease, duodenal cancer might be difficult to cure. Consult your doctor if your family has a history of cancer or if you begin to develop unusual symptoms. Early detection can provide the best possibility for cancer treatment and eradication.
