Small intestine cancer physical examination

Generally, the most common signs of small intestinal cancer are emaciation, lethargy, abdominal tenderness, abdominal mass, hepatomegaly, ascites, icterus, enlarged lymph nodes and pallor. Other signs include low-grade fever, discomfort on palpation, rectal bleeding, abdominal mass, and jaundice.

• Clinical features of small intestinal tumors have not been clearly studied, as its a rare condition.^[1]
• Advanced stage tumors present with signs of intestinal obstructions.
• Common physical exam findings include abdominal tenderness, abdominal mass, hepatomegaly, ascites, icterus, or enlarged lymph nodes.
• Symptoms related to obstruction appear when tumor is at advanced stage as, contents of small intestine are mostly fluid.

Appearance of the Patient:

• Lethargic
• Pallor
• Emaciated in late stage

Vital Signs:

• Tachycardia due to anemia

Skin:

• Pallor

HEENT:

• May be normal
• May show icterus in case of liver involvement
• Lymphadenopathy may be positive
  

Neck:

• May be normal on examination
• May show lymphadenopathy in case of distant metastasis

Lungs:

• Lungs may be normal on auscultation

Heart:

• Heart sounds may be normal
• In case of distant involvement there may be findings on auscultation

Abdomen:

• On palpation abdomen may show tenderness, mass, ascities, and hepatomegaly

Back:

• Physical examination of back is usually normal in patients with small intestine cancer

Genitourinary:

• Genitourinary may show melena or blood per rectum

Abdomen:

• Abdomen may show signs of obstruction and mass

Neuromuscular:

• Depending on the stage of the disease may be normal or agitated

Extremities:

• Extremities may show mass loss and emaciation in late stage

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