Get all your questions answered about Gastrointestinal cancer

What are the most common types of gastrointestinal cancer?

Gastrointestinal cancers are the most common cancers worldwide. As a whole they are responsible for more cancers and deaths from cancer than any other system in the body. One in every twenty people will be affected by colon cancer, one of the GI cancers.

Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) affects the organs of your digestive tract. The most common GI cancers include the following:

• Anal cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gallbladder cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Small intestinal cancer
• Stomach cancer (gastric cancer)

The most common cancer types are:

• Adenocarcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Neuroendocrine tumours
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)

What are the most common symptoms of GI cancer?

You may have no symptoms in the early stages of GI cancer. When Gastrointestinal cancer cast symptoms they have usually grown sufficiently big.They are usually diagnosed at this point when they start causing symptoms.

When gastrointestinal cancer is advanced enough to cause symptoms, they may include:

• Cramping or pain in the abdomen
• Stool that is bloody or black colored
• Changes in bowel habits especially recent change such as diarrhoea or constipation, or changes in stool consistency or narrowing
• Swallowing  Difficulties
• Digestive issues
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Vomiting and nausea
• The abdomen is swollen
• Tiredness, weakness, weight loss, or appetite loss

What are the causes of developing GI cancer?

GI tract cancers develop when the cells lining one or more of the digestive tract's organs begins to grow uncontrolled, producing tumours and occasionally spreading to lymph nodes and other organs.

The cause of GI cancer is still not fully known to medical experts. Still, cell damage increases the likelihood of abnormalities appearing, which can be caused by infections, obesity, smoking, and some environmental risk factors. GI cancers can also be hereditary i.e. they run in family.

Risk factors that increase your chances of developing GI cancer are:

• Infection with Hepatitis A or B (liver cancer)
• Infection with Helicobacter Pylori (stomach cancer)
• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Gastritis
• Obesity or being overweight
• Having a history of GI cancer or another cancer
• Previous surgery on one or more digestive organs
• Family history of GI cancer
• Polyps that had previously grown in the colon or stomach

How can I lower my chances of developing gastrointestinal cancer?

It has been observed that more than 2/3 of GI cancers are lifestyle related. Several lifestyle changes can lower your chances of developing these cancers. These include avoiding alcohol and smoking, eating plenty of green vegetables, avoiding preserved or burnt meats, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising on a regular basis.

What are my chances of a cure if any of these occur?

When detected early these cancers can be cured. Even in advanced stages with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy one can think of cure. But needless to say do not ignore any early symptoms.

Will my gallbladder stones cause cancer?

Although gallstones are common, only a small percentage of those who have them will develop gallbladder cancer. Your cancer risk increases if a gallstone causes pain, is large, or you have a close relative who has gallbladder cancer.

Can these cancers be treated with Robotic/Laparoscopic surgery?

The robotic/laparoscopic technique has completely transformed the field of surgery.

In addition to the obvious cosmetic benefits, research has shown that it results in:

• Less surgical trauma
• A shorter hospital stay
• Less blood loss
• A lower complication rate
• An earlier return to work

Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly being used to treat colorectal, esophageal, and gastric cancers. Thanks to technological advances and increasing surgeon expertise, cancers of the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder can now be operated on laparoscopically in selected cases.

If you are experiencing unusual GI symptoms or want to learn more about the disease, get an appointment with Dr. Neeraj Goel, an expert GI Surgeon in Delhi. He is always there to assist you at every stage of gastrointestinal cancer.