Longest segment of the gastrointestinal tract.

 Tubelike structure extending from the stomach and continuous with the large intestine.

 Approximately 1 inch in diameter and 20 feet in length.

 Consists of three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum.

 Most of the digestion of food takes place here.

 Cancer of the small intestine is quite rare.

 Less than 50 new cases are diagnosed each year in Canada.

 1.8 % of malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract.

 Most patients are over 45 and 60% are men.

 Usually reaches an advanced stage before diagnosis.