Gastrointestinal Cancers

Be aware of the following signs, which may indicate the presence of esophageal cancer:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Persistent heartburn
• Regurgitation of food
• Unexplained weight loss

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer:

• Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking
• Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Obesity
• Occupational exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., dry cleaning solvents)

The primary types of esophageal carcinoma are:

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma

You can take steps to reduce your risk of developing esophageal cancer:

• Avoid smoking and limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Use protective headgear and masks to prevent occupational exposure to harmful chemicals.

Doctors use several methods to diagnose esophageal cancer:

• Upper GI Endoscopy: A healthcare provider inserts a thin tube with a camera to visually assess the tumor's location and extent.
• Biopsy: During the endoscopy, a small, representative sample of the tumor is taken for laboratory analysis.
• CT Scan (Chest and Abdomen): This imaging test helps assess the tumor's size and determines if it has spread to nearby tissues.
• PET Scan: This scan is used to see if the cancer has spread to other organs and to monitor the body's response to chemotherapy.

Treatment for esophageal cancer is a multidisciplinary approach that may involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

• Chemotherapy and Radiation (Chemoradiation): For locally advanced disease, chemoradiation is often given first. This treatment targets the tumor and decreases its size, making subsequent surgery more effective.
• Surgery: Surgery is performed to provide clearance of early-stage tumors confined to the esophagus or to remove any residual disease that remains after radiation and chemotherapy.

While the exact cause is not always clear, several known risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer:

• H. pylori Infection: A common bacterial infection of the stomach.
• Diet: High consumption of smoked or salted foods.
• Medical History: Presence of gastric polyps.
• Lifestyle: Excessive alcohol intake.
• Genetics: A family history of stomach cancer.

In its initial stages, stomach cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks, it is crucial to consult a surgical oncologist:

• Early satiety (feeling full after eating very little)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vomiting blood
• Passing black, tarry stools

A doctor will use the following methods to diagnose stomach cancer:

• Upper GI Endoscopy and Biopsy: If you are experiencing symptoms, your doctor will perform an endoscopy (inserting a thin tube with a camera down the throat) to view the stomach lining. If any suspicious areas are found, a biopsy (a small tissue sample) will be taken for analysis.
• CT Scan (Abdomen): This imaging test is used to assess the size and extent of the tumor and to determine if it has spread to other areas.

The treatment for stomach cancer depends on the stage and extent of the tumor's spread. The primary methods include chemotherapy and surgery.

• Surgery: This involves the surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on its size and location, the procedure may involve removing:
  • Part of the stomach (Distal Gastrectomy)
  • The entire stomach (Total Gastrectomy)
• Chemotherapy: This treatment uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells.
  • Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: If a tumor is locally advanced or cannot be removed completely at first, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink it.
  • Adjuvant Chemotherapy: If needed, chemotherapy may be given after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

There are several known risk factors for developing colon cancer:

• Polyps: These are epithelial outgrowths inside the colon that can be precancerous.
  • Adenomas: Have a 40% chance of becoming malignant.
  • Hyperplastic polyps: Rarely turn malignant.
• Hereditary Syndromes: Damage to genes can cause uncontrolled proliferation of colon cells, resulting in cancer. About 5% of colon cancers are associated with hereditary syndromes, including:
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Attenuated FAP
  • Muir-Torre syndrome
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  • Gardner's syndrome
  • MUTYH-associated polyposis
• Age: Individuals over 50 years old are at a higher risk.
• Diet and Lifestyle:
  • Excessive consumption of red meat, processed meat, and alcohol.
  • A low-fiber diet.
  • Lack of physical activity.
• Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions such as Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis increase the risk.

• A change in bowel habits, such as alternating diarrhea and constipation.
• Blood in stools.
• Abdominal pain and bloating.
• Anemia due to intestinal bleeding.
• Unexplained loss of weight and appetite.
• Fatigue and weakness.

Your doctor will take a complete medical history, perform a physical examination, and may order the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

• Colonoscopy: An endoscopic test where a scope is passed via the anus to visualize the inside of the large bowel. Any suspicious growth or polyp is biopsied and sent for pathological examination.
• CT scan (Abdomen and Pelvis): Your doctor may order this imaging test to assess the site and extent of the tumor, and to check for tumor spread (metastasis).

If left untreated, colon cancer can lead to:

• Increase in tumor size.
• Spread (metastasis) to nearby and distant organs.
• Bowel obstruction.
• Perforation of the bowel.
• Tumor bleeding.

• Surgery: Involves the removal of the affected part of the colon along with the tumor.
• Chemotherapy: May be given following surgery if needed, or in cases of unresectable and metastatic tumors.
• Immunotherapy: Can be given for advanced tumors.
• Radiation Therapy: Not routinely used for colon cancers, but Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) may be used for tumors that have spread to the liver.

• The lower oesophagal sphincter( LES) becomes weak.
• The LES starts to relax frequently.

• Heartburn ( a burning sensation in the chest)
• Voice turns hoarse
• A lump like feeling in your throat
• Bad breath
• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Frequent burping and bitter taste in the mouth
• Dental caries