About cancer
The bowel is split into 2 parts - the small bowel and the large bowel. The small bowel makes up most of the digestive system. This page is about cancer that begins in the small bowel.
Go to our information about cancer of the large bowel (colorectal cancer)
The small bowel makes up most of the digestive system and helps your body to digest food and take in vitamins. Cancer that starts here is called small bowel cancer.
Some of the symptoms of small bowel cancer can include a pain or lump in your tummy (abdomen), weight loss, tiredness or dark black poo. Scans and blood tests can help to diagnose small bowel cancer.
Small bowel adenocarcinoma is the most common type of small bowel cancer. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Last reviewed: 01 Jul 2025
Next review due: 01 Jul 2028
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