Best Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Best Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Gastrointestinal Cancers: Who Is at Risk? Symptoms, Causes, Screening, Treatment and Prevention

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising at an alarming rate across the globe, particularly in people younger than 50 years, with colorectal cancer leading the trend. An analysis published in the journal The Lancet showed that worldwide, GI cancers account for a quarter of cancer incidence and a third of cancer-related deaths. The study also revealed that 1 in 12 people can develop gastrointestinal cancer in their lifetime, whereas 1 in 16 people die of GI cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers are a complex disease, but most of them are usually treatable and even curable when found early. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our compassionate GI cancer experts treat all types and stages of gastrointestinal cancers using the most advanced treatments and tools. Our team-based approach to care means you will receive personalized treatment from Multi-disciplinary specialists across various specialities who work together to give you the best results. 

Having regular check-ups or screenings and knowing the symptoms of GI cancers can help detect the disease at its earliest stages, providing the best chance for a cure. Keep reading to learn more about gastrointestinal cancers, including the symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and steps you can take to prevent or reduce your risk.

What are Gastrointestinal Cancers?

Gastrointestinal cancers refer to a group of cancers that form in the digestive tract and other abdominal organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus. 

Gastrointestinal cancers are categorized into different types, depending on the particular organ involved. Each type of gastrointestinal cancer is a distinct disease that requires special treatment, although all types interfere with the function of your digestive system. Catching GI cancers early before they spread to other areas will ensure positive treatment outcomes.

What are the Types of Gastrointestinal Cancers?

There are many different types of gastrointestinal cancers, with the most common ones being:

• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric or stomach cancer
• Colorectal/colon cancer
• Small intestine cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Gallbladder cancer

Less common types of GI cancers include bile duct cancer, anal cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. 

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Cancers?

Gastrointestinal cancer symptoms are often vague or asymptomatic during the early stages. That’s why most people learn about their condition during a routine screening test or after the tumor has become more advanced. Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers vary, depending on the specific type of GI cancer – although many of these cancers can cause the same indications. 

Symptoms of GI cancers may include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Swelling or a lump in the abdomen
• Ongoing abdominal bloating
• Feeling full quickly even after a small meal
• Persistent heartburn or indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unintended weight loss
• Poor appetite 
• Jaundice – yellowing of the eyes and skin
• New-onset itchy skin
• Changes in bowel habits – such as constipation, diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained fatigue

Having these symptoms does not always indicate you have cancer. However, you should make an appointment with a doctor if you experience any concerning symptoms to get a proper diagnosis and treatment, if required. 

What Causes Gastrointestinal Cancers?

Gastrointestinal cancers, like other types of cancer, occur when cells lining the organs of the digestive system change or mutate and begin to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. It’s unclear what causes your digestive tract cells to become cancer cells. However, researchers have identified certain things, including environmental and lifestyle factors, that can cause cell mutation, increasing a person’s risk of getting gastrointestinal cancers.

Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Cancers

Common risk factors for gastrointestinal cancers include:

• Increasing age – over the age of 50, although GI cancers are becoming more common in younger adults
• Family history of gastrointestinal cancers
• History of GI or inflammatory bowel disease
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Unhealthy diets – such as a diet high in saturated fats, red and processed meats, but low in fibre
• Some underlying health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hepatitis B or C virus infection
• Growth of polyps in the colon or stomach
• Surgery in the organs of the digestive system

Men are more likely to develop gastrointestinal cancers than women.

How are Gastrointestinal Cancers Diagnosed?

To diagnose GI cancers, your doctor will likely begin with a physical exam and medical history. If you have symptoms of a GI cancer and your doctor suspects a diagnosis, they may run some of the following tests:

• Blood tests – to check for markers or any abnormalities in the blood, which may indicate cancer.
• Stool test – to see if there are genetic markers or hidden blood in the stool.
• Endoscopy and Biopsy – to examine the lining of esophagus, stomach and small intestine for tumors using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. During an endoscopy, your provider may remove a small sample of abnormal tissue for biopsy testing, which can help confirm the presence of cancer cells.
• Colonoscopy – to check for and remove polyps, which can become cancerous, in the colon and rectum.
• Imaging tests – such as MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or PET/CT scan may be used to spot or rule out tumors in the organs of the digestive system, including the liver and pancreas. 

If you’re diagnosed with GI cancer, your provider will work to find out the extent of the cancer, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and if so, how far. This process is called staging, which can help identify the best treatment approach. Staging of cancer can also help providers predict the prognosis and treatment for patients.

Screening for Gastrointestinal Cancers

Regular screenings for gastrointestinal cancer, particularly if you’re at risk, can help diagnose the disease early when it is most treatable. For instance, colonoscopy, upper endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound, are some screening tools for GI cancers that can help diagnose the disease even before the symptoms appear. Discuss with your doctor about gastrointestinal cancer screening options, including if, when you should start screening, and the most appropriate test for you.

How are Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated?

Treatment will depend on various factors, such as the specific type of GI cancer you have, the tumor’s stage and grade, your age and overall health, as well as your preferences. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our GI cancer care team will work with you and your family to choose a care plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Your treatment may include a combination of the following options:

GI Cancer Surgery 

Surgery is the most common and effective treatment, especially for GI cancers that are diagnosed in the very early stages. Your surgeon will try to remove all the cancer cells along with a small portion of nearby healthy tissue or remove as much of a tumor as possible – when the entire tumor cannot be safely removed. Surgeons at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, use a variety of advanced surgical methods, such as endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted tumor resection, and Whipple procedure. Our GI cancer surgeons are highly experienced and skilled in performing minimally invasive techniques using laparoscopic or robotic, which allow increased precision, offer less pain and faster recoveries.

Non-surgical GI Cancer Treatments 

• Chemotherapy – to slow the growth of tumor or kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy – to shrink or destroy cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy – to attack specific cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells.
• Immunotherapy – to fight cancer cells using the body’s own immune system. 
• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) – an innovative treatment that delivers heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity to kill any remaining cancer cells after your surgeon removes all visible tumors. 
• PIPAC

Can You Prevent Gastrointestinal Cancers?

It ‘s not always possible to prevent gastrointestinal cancers, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. Prevention of GI cancers starts with a healthy lifestyle, such as:

• Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while avoiding or limiting processed foods and red meats.
• Exercising every day
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Refraining from alcohol and tobacco
• Routine screenings
• Knowing your family history of GI cancers

Takeaway

Gastrointestinal cancers are a major global health threat, underscoring the urgent need to focus on early detection methods and enhanced prevention strategies that address modifiable risk factors. While gastrointestinal cancers are among the most complicated due to the complex nature of the GI tract, accurate and early diagnosis can significantly improve patient outcomes. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms and have regular screening tests, which can help detect the disease early when it’s easier to treat or prevent it altogether by identifying and removing polyps that can become cancerous over time, if left untreated.

Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle, learning about your risks, and seeking medical attention if you have any concerning symptoms can help prevent gastrointestinal cancers.