Intestinal Sarcoma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Preventions

Introduction:

The small intestine is a part of the digestive system that breaks down food to get absorbed into the body. It is divided into the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum. Further, it connects the stomach to the large intestine or colon. The cancer of this organ occurs when the cells of the small intestinal lining modify and multiply out of control. It can either be benign or malignant. The sarcoma we deal with in this article is a malignant tumor of the connective and supporting tissues of the intestine.

What Are the Types of Small Bowel Cancer?

Small bowel cancer is of five types. They are:

• Adenocarcinoma: It is due to the unstoppable growth of the gland cells of the small bowel.

• Sarcoma: Small bowel sarcoma is a tumor that occurs commonly in the ileum.

• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: It is a rare tumor occurring in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Neuroendocrine Tumor: It occurs commonly in the ileum due to the uncontrolled proliferation of the hormone-producing cells.

• Lymphoma: It is the cancer of the lymph system occurring in the jejunum or ileum.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Intestinal Sarcoma?

The common signs and symptoms of intestinal sarcoma are:

• Abdominal pain.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Watery diarrhea.

• Blood in the stool.

• Weight loss.

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

What Are the Causes of Intestinal Sarcoma?

The doctors identify no definite cause. But in general, intestinal cancer occurs when the normal cells undergo mutation in the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). This mutation leads to the uncontrolled proliferation of the cells, which accumulate to form a tumor. Further, these tumor cells keep growing and invading the normal tissues surrounding cancer and other parts of the body.

What Are the Risk Factors of Intestinal Sarcoma?

The risk factors of intestinal sarcoma are:

• The risk of intestinal cancer increases as the individual ages. The average age at which the condition is diagnosed is 65.

• The condition is more common in males than females.

• Intestinal sarcoma can be due to gene mutations that run in families. The common conditions inherited through parents are Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis.

• Certain conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease affect the intestine.

• Individuals with weak immune systems due to HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) infection or anti-rejection medicine after an organ transplant have higher chances of intestinal cancer.

What Are the Complications Associated With Intestinal Sarcoma?

Intestinal sarcoma can lead to complications such as,

• Risk of Other Cancers: Individuals with small intestinal sarcoma are at a high risk of having cancers involving the rectum, colon, ovary, and uterine lining.

• Metastasis: Cancer involving the small intestine can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis and the most common organ affected is the liver.

How to Diagnose Intestinal Sarcoma?

There are blood tests and imaging studies to diagnose intestinal cancers.

The blood tests include:

• Complete Blood Count: Intestinal cancers can cause bleeding and reduce red blood cell count.

• Blood Chemistry Studies: It checks the amount of a particular substance released into the blood by the organs. For example, a liver function test can be taken to identify if cancer has spread to the liver.

The imaging methods include:

• Abdominal X-ray: An abdominal X-ray can identify if there is an abnormality in any part of the abdomen.

• Barium X-ray: This procedure involves coating the gastrointestinal tract with barium to easily visualize the gastrointestinal tract in the X-ray. A barium swallow is given to visualize the upper gastrointestinal tract as it travels through the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. Next, a barium enema is given to visualize the lower gastrointestinal tract, and the X-rays are taken.

• Endoscopy: This procedure involves the introduction of an endoscope into the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. To see the structures deep into it, a double-balloon enteroscopy is used. During an endoscopy, tissue samples (biopsy) might be removed by the doctor to examine for any signs of disease.

• CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: This procedure involves the examination of organs in different slices utilizing a dye and a series of X-rays stored in a computer.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This involves using radio waves and computers to visualize the organs and soft tissues affected by the tumor.

How to Treat Intestinal Sarcoma?

The treatment option selected for a particular patient depends on the type, location, characteristics, and cancer stage. However, the preference of the patient is also considered.

• Surgery: The resection of the part or the complete organ is performed based on the spread of cancer. The organs besides the tumor identified with cancer will also be removed. Finally, the cut ends of the intestines will be joined together. Bypass surgery is performed in cases where the tumor cannot be removed. This surgery allows the food passing through the intestine to bypass the tumor.

• Chemotherapy: Drugs are administered to stop or kill cancer cells. It can be either regional (destroying cancer cells in a region) or systemic (destroying cancer cells throughout the body) therapy.

• Radiation Therapy: High-energy X-rays are used to stop or kill cancer cells. It is recommended in cases where surgical removal is impossible. It is also used as maintenance care for symptomatic relief and can accompany chemotherapy after surgery.

• Somatostatin Analogs: These medications inhibit the release of hormones from the body and help ease the symptoms.Examples include Lanreotide and Octreotide.

• Targeted Therapy: This therapy kills cancer cells by identifying its weakness.

• Immunotherapy: It boosts the immune system of the body to fight against cancer cells.

How to Prevent Intestinal Cancers?

There are no definite ways to help reduce the risk of intestinal cancer since it is a rare condition. However, the general measures to be followed to prevent intestinal cancers are:

• Maintaining a healthy diet by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber can help reduce your cancer risk. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables with vitamins and minerals can be taken alternatively.

• Limit the consumption of alcohol or quit the habit.

• Quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about the various rehabilitation measures if you feel it is difficult to quit.

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

• Maintain a healthy weight by being physically active the whole day and reducing the number of calories you eat.

Conclusion:

Intestinal cancers are rare. Understanding the outcomes and treatment options may be challenging. Many factors are responsible for success. Visit a healthcare provider when you experience symptoms, and get treated early.