Benign Tumors Of The Small Intestine
Different types of tumors may develop in the small intestine, but most of them are benign. Non cancerous tumors of the intestine may be classified by their origin as follows:
- Lipomas originating from fat cells
- Neurofibromas which develop from the nerve cells
- fibromas of the connective tissue
- leiomyomas which originate in the muscle cells
The benign tumors developing in the small intestine are usually asymptomatic. Occasionally, some tumors may start bleeding resulting in black tarry stools or melena. Large tumors may result in intestinal obstruction which may be partial or total. Intussusception is a dangerous condition that may develop, in which one part of the intestine gets pushed into its adjacent part as in a collapsing telescope. It results in intestinal strangulation, as the blood supply is cut off. This can be a life threatening condition which requires medical intervention at the earliest.
Minimally invasive procedures using an endoscope can destroy small tumors. Electrocautery by direct application of electric current, or thermal obliteration using direct heat on the noncancerous tumors, are two options for destroying them. In laser phototherapy high energy light is focused on the tumor to destroy the abnormal tissue. Larger tumors may have to be surgically removed to relieve the obstruction in the intestine
Share and Enjoy
Yasser Elnahas
Latest posts by Yasser Elnahas (see all)
- Acute Pericarditis - March 31, 2014
- What is a Pericardial Disease - March 30, 2014
- Infective Endocarditis (Acute and Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis) - March 29, 2014
- Sinus Node Dysfunction - March 26, 2014
- Bundle Branch Block - March 26, 2014
