Advanced Gastrointestinal
Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis

Gastrointestinal cancer is also known as GI Malignancy. It is a malignant or cancerous condition of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). GI cancer mainly affects the organs of the digestive system.

The human digestive system includes various organs such as the esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Gastrointestinal cancer includes cancers of the Oesophagus, Gallbladder, Biliary Tract, Liver, Pancreas, Stomach, Small Intestine, Bowel (Large Intestine or Colon and Rectum), and Anus. GI cancer can occur in any man or woman.

Common types of Gastrointestinal Cancers are:

• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Gallbladder and Biliary Tract cancer
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Colon cancer
• Anal cancer

Esophageal Cancer:

Esophageal cancer is a rare type of cancer. The esophagus is a tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. In this type of cancer, cancer cells form in the tissue of the Esophagus.

Stomach Cancer:

Stomach cancer occurs due to the formation of cancerous cells in the wall of the stomach. Gastric Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer:

Pancreatic Cancer occurs due to the cancer cells in the parts of the Pancreas. 90% of pancreatic cancers arise from exocrine cells.

Liver Cancer:

Liver cancer occurs in two situations. In primary liver cancer, malignant cells first form and spread in the liver, and in secondary live cancer, cancer begins in another part of the body and later spreads to the liver.

Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Cancer:

Gallbladder cancer is rare cancer where cancer cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder. Biliary Cancer occurs in the Bile Ducts.

Colon Cancer:

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine. It is also known as Colorectal Cancer. In Colon cancer, cancerous cells grow in the wall of the large bowel.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors:

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare type of cancer found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Anal Cancer:

Anal Cancer occurs due to the formation of cancerous cells in the tissues of the Anal. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of Anal Cancer.

Major causes and risk factors of GI cancer include:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Increasing Age
• A diet containing high amounts of salt, animal fat, and poorly preserved foods
• Obesity
• Chronic Pancreatitis.

Common GI cancer symptoms are:

• Abdominal Pain
• Changes in bowel habits, such as frequency or consistency, or shape
• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue

Gastrointestinal cancer treatment at SSO Hospital involves various methods to manage symptoms and fight cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. The goal is to provide personalized care and support to improve the patient’s quality of life and overall well-being.

GI cancer is diagnosed by using various tests such as:

• Imaging Test
• Lab Test
• Biopsies
• Endoscopy