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Small intestine cancer stages are usually determined at the time of diagnosis. Staging provides important information about the location, extent and spread of a cancer, which can be helpful to a physician when developing a treatment plan and discussing a patient’s prognosis.

One tool that many physicians use to determine small intestine cancer stages is the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM System. For staging purposes, the TNM system considers three factors: the size and location of the primary tumor (T), lymph node involvement (N) and metastasis to other parts of the body (M). Once values are assigned to each of these categories, the results are then combined to identify the cancer’s stage.

Under the TNM system, the small intestine cancer stages include:

  • Stage 0 – The cancer is only in the topmost cells of the small intestine (mucosa)
  • Stage 1 – Cancerous cells are detected in the innermost layers of the small intestine (the lamina propria, submucosa or muscularis propria)
  • Stage 2 – Cancer has spread through most of the small intestine’s wall (into the subserosa or serosa)
  • Stage 3 – The tumor has invaded nearby lymph nodes
  • Stage 4 – The cancer has penetrated the lining of the abdominal cavity (visceral peritoneum) or spread to other organs

At Moffitt Cancer Center, a collaborative team of specialists, which includes surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other cancer experts, works closely with each patient to diagnose and stage the cancer and then design a tailored treatment plan. As a high-volume cancer center, we are experienced in treating even the most advanced stages of small intestine cancer, and we offer the very latest options in diagnostic testing, treatment and supportive care, all in one convenient location.

If you'd like to learn more about small intestine cancer stages and treatments, the experts at Moffitt can help. Call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. No referrals are required.

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