Main Causes of Duodenal Cancer and Its Health Impacts

Main Causes of Duodenal Cancer and Its Health Impacts

Duodenal cancer, though comparatively uncommon and rare, can spread very fast. This type of cancer affects the duodenum, the horseshoe-shaped part of the small intestine. This part receives the food you consume from the stomach and plays an important role in digestion. A cancerous growth in it can impair digestion and cause various other symptoms. This type of cancer is medically termed as duodenal adenocarcinoma. This blog discusses about the various causes of duodenal cancer. Read on to know more.

Duodenal cancer, though comparatively uncommon and rare, can spread very fast. This type of cancer affects the duodenum, the horseshoe-shaped part of the small intestine. This part receives the food you consume from the stomach and plays an important role in digestion. A cancerous growth in it can impair digestion and cause various other symptoms. This type of cancer is medically termed as duodenal adenocarcinoma. This blog discusses about the various causes of duodenal cancer. Read on to know more.

What Causes Duodenal Cancer?

It is yet unclear as to why this cancer happens to people. The main causes of duodenal cancer are as listed below:

Age

Aging can be one of the causes of this cancer because it leads to the mutation of genes in the human body. In most cases, a cancer affecting the small intestine occurs in people around 60-70 years old.

Genetic Predisposition

Genetic predisposition could be another cause of this cancer. If an individual inherits certain syndromes or faulty genes from their family members, they may develop duodenal cancer.

Duodenal Growths

The development of non-cancerous tumours or polyps in duodenum may soon turn malignant.

Diet

Diet may also increase the chances of developing this cancer. People who consume a diet rich in refined carbs such as white bread, pasta, white sugar as well as red meat are at greater risk.

In the initial stages, this cancer may not produce any symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, the cancerous tumour may block the passage of food into the intestine, impairing digestion and causing other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, bloody stool, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and severe constipation.