Everything You Should Know About Gastro-Intestinal Cancer

Gastro-Intestinal Cancer has been one of the most leading causes of deaths in the past decade. If we look at the prevalence of GI cancer in India, the results will shock you.

While esophageal cancer is prominent in major parts of India, the deaths pertaining to gastric cancer shows a dismal figure as well. Stomach cancer is the fourth most commonly occurring cancer in men and the seventh most commonly occurring cancer in women.

The question arises –  is it possible to protect ourselves from this illness?

Of course, yes. With proper knowledge, early detection and effective GI Cancer treatments, it is possible.

What is Gastro-Intestinal Cancer?

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a term used for the group of cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract and other organs that are contained within the digestive system, including the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, colon, rectum, anus, liver, biliary system, and small intestine.

This is one of the most common types of cancer and it affects both men and women depending upon the risk factors. Depending on the organ affected, the following are the major types of Gastro-Intestinal Cancer:

• Esophageal Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Gall bladder Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Anal Cancer

Symptoms associated with Gastro-Intestinal Cancer

Below are some of the common symptoms of GI cancer:

• Abdominal pain/discomfort
• Alterations in bowel habits
• Rectal bleeding
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling of Nausea/vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Feeling bloated
• Heartburn
• Persistent indigestion

Diagnosis & Treatment of Gastro-Intestinal Cancer

With advancement in cancer diagnosis, the detection of gastro-intestinal cancer has become easy. There are various diagnosis options like:

Upper endoscopy. A tiny camera to see inside your stomach.
Imaging tests. Imaging tests used to look for stomach cancer include computerized tomography (CT) scans and a special type of X-ray exam sometimes called a barium swallow.

Your GI cancer treatment options for gastroesophageal junction cancer or stomach cancer depend on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your preferences.

Surgery
Gastroesophageal junction cancer that has not spread requires cancer surgery to remove the part of the esophagus or stomach where the tumor is located.

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. It can be used before surgery (neoadjuvant radiation) to shrink a tumor so that it’s more easily removed.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body, killing cancer cells that may have spread beyond the stomach.

Targeted Therapy or Drugs
Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells or that direct your immune system to kill cancer cells (immunotherapy).

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening. Once you start to adjust after the initial shock of your diagnosis, you may find it helps to stay focused on tasks that help you cope. The fight against gastro-intestinal cancer seems difficult but with a better approach, it surely isn’t impossible.