Understanding mortality patterns and survival outcomes in small intestine cancer: Insights from a retrospective analysis of the SEER database

Small intestine cancer, a rare malignancy originating in the small intestine, has seen an increased incidence in developed regions over the last five decades. This study explores how demographic variables, treatment modalities, tumor size, and grade impact survival in patients with small intestine cancer and compares their influence relative to other causes of death. We examined data from 38,894 patients diagnosed with small intestine cancer between 2000 and 2020, sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. Patients were categorized into three distinct subgroups to investigate the impact of these factors on patient outcomes: (I) Patients A live During the Study Period (II) Patients Deceased Due to Small Intestinal Cancer (III) Patients Deceased Due to Other Causes. Kaplan-Meier curves and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the relationships between these factors and survival outcomes. Results indicate that 13.01% of patients succumbed to small intestine cancer with most being white (approximately 71%) and aged 65–69 years. Males had a higher likelihood of survival than females with median survival time of 37 months. Also, the tumor characteristics played a pivotal role in determining the prognosis. Small tumors (<3 cm) and low-grade malignancies showed a better prognosis compared to larger tumors (>3 cm) and higher-grade cancers. While, Surgery had a significant positive impact on survival (p < 0.05), the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was limited. This study reveals the complex interplay of factors affecting survival in small intestine cancer patients over two decades.