Symptoms of small intestine cancer

Small intestine cancer is very rare. As a result, doctors often look for other causes of symptoms before they check for cancer in the small intestine. This cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Symptoms often appear if the tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs or if it blocks the small intestine. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as small intestine cancer.

See your doctor if you have these symptoms.

pain in the abdomen (in some cases, pain comes on suddenly and is severe)

nausea

vomiting

weight loss

constipation

diarrhea

bleeding from the bowel

blood in the stool, or black, tarry stool

fatigue and weakness, which may be caused by anemiaanemiaA reduction in the number of healthy red blood cells.

In some cases, tumours in the small intestine can cause serious problems. These cancer-related emergencies need to be treated right away: