Noncancerous Tumors of the Small Intestine
Most tumors of the small intestine are noncancerous. These include tumors of fat cells (lipomas), nerve cells (neurofibromas), connective tissue cells (fibromas), and muscle cells (leiomyomas).
Most noncancerous tumors of the small intestine do not cause symptoms. However, larger ones may cause blood in the stool, a partial or complete intestinal obstruction, or intestinal strangulation if one part of the intestine telescopes into an adjacent part (a condition called intussusception).
Small noncancerous growths may be destroyed through an endoscope by applying an electrical current (electrocautery) or heat (thermal obliteration) directly to the growth, or by directing a high-energy beam of light at the growth (laser phototherapy). For large growths, surgery may be needed.
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