Gastrointestinal Cancers: How it starts & who gets it?

What is gastrointestinal cancer?

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a term for the group of cancers that affect the digestive system. The cancer can form a mass or ulcer within the stomach or it can spread diffusely throughout the entire wall of the stomach. Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer.

Overall, the GI tract and the accessory organs of digestion (pancreas, liver, gall bladder) are responsible for more cancers and more deaths from cancer than any other system in the body.

What are the types of gastrointestinal cancers, and who’s at risk?

There are several types of gastrointestinal cancer, including:

• Bowel, in which tumors form in the small intestine
• Colorectal, which arises in fleshy growths called polyps in the colon or rectum
• Esophageal, which occurs in the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach
• Gastric, in which tumors form in the lining of the stomach
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), which are believed to grow from cells in the gastrointestinal tract called interstitial cells of Cajal
• Other digestive organs, such as the gallbladder, bile ducts, liver or pancreas

The exact cause of many types of gastrointestinal cancers are not clear and the risk factors vary. It may include:

Environmental factors like – obesity, alcohol consumption, bad diet habits (including processed food, animal fats or salted foods)
Genetic changes – either inherited from parents or acquired over a lifetime.
Medical conditions – such as gastroesophageal reflux disease for esophageal cancer.

Gastrointestinal cancers are more likely to develop in men, and the risk increases with age. Most of these cancers are linked to cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets.

The good news is that healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk for GI cancer.

What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers?

Most of the time, symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers don’t occur until the tumor is in more advanced stage. Further, they also depend on the type of cancer. It may include:

Abdominal discomfort – pain, cramping or bloating.
Bleeding – rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
Change in the bowel habits – Diarrhea, constipation or change in stool shape or consistency.
Fatigue – unexplained tiredness or weakness.
Nausea – accompanied by vomiting or weight loss.

Stomach cancer & where it starts

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach (stomach body). Stomach cancer is more common in older people. Around 50 out of 100 cases (around 50%) occur in people aged 75 or over.

Most stomach cancers start in the gland cells in the inner stomach lining. These are called adenocarcinomas.

Stomach cancer can start in the wall of the stomach. These are called gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and are a type of soft tissue sarcoma.

Some cancers can also start in immune system cells in the stomach. These are called non Hodgkins lymphoma. Or they can start in the hormone cells in the stomach. These are called neuroendocrine cancers.

How are gastrointestinal cancers diagnosed & treated?

If patients have symptoms and the cancer doctor has reason to suspect a diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer, they may perform tests like – endoscopy, colonoscopy, lab tests for blood, imaging reports (MRI, CT scan, PET scan, etc.) and biopsy.

Treatments are more effective when the cancer is detected at an early stage—which, unfortunately, can be a challenge. Treatment options depend on the type and stage of gastrointestinal cancer, and may include:

Chemotherapy – Anti-cancer drugs taken by mouth, infused or injected kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Precision therapies – Targeted therapy drugs pinpoint molecular weaknesses in cancer cells, while immunotherapy stimulates the body’s immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy – High-energy beams that destroy gastrointestinal cancer may be delivered from outside the body or from a device placed internally.
Surgery – A variety of techniques may be used to precisely and safely remove cancerous tissue.

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