It is estimated that there are nearly five million new cases of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers worldwide per year, accounting for approximately 26 percent of global cancer and 35 percent of all cancer-related deaths.
Gastrointestinal cancer develops anywhere along the digestive tract, starting with the esophagus and ending at the anus. That includes cancer of the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile duct, colon, small intestine, and rectum.
The more you know about gastrointestinal cancer, and the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of a good outcome.
Diagnosing GI Cancer
Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer rarely occur until the malignant tumor has become more advanced. Then, it depends on the type of cancer. For example, someone with esophageal cancer may find it difficult to swallow while those with liver or pancreatic cancer may experience abdominal pain, and in the case of colorectal cancer, one might notice changes in their bowel function or rectal bleeding.
In any case, doctors can diagnose GI cancer using a number of screening tests that include:
- Endoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) – This method examines the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine for tumors.
- Colonoscopy – This test checks the colon and rectum, looking for polyps that may become cancerous.
- Lab tests – These blood panels look for any changes that could indicate cancer.
- Imaging studies – Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-rays, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT scan), and positron emission tomography (PET scan) can all be used to check for abnormal tissue anywhere along the digestive tract.
- Biopsy – This involves obtaining a sample of abnormal tissue – often during an endoscopy procedure – and having a pathologist analyze it under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.
Treating GI Cancer
If a tumor is easy to reach, it can be surgically removed. The surgical option not only involves complete removal of the tumor, but also the surrounding tissue. A procedure called anastomosis may be necessary to restore function of the esophagus or stomach by connecting the remaining healthy portions of the organ. In the case of liver cancer, some patients may be eligible for transplantation.
However, if surgery will adversely affect gastrointestinal function, alternative treatment measures might include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy (medication that targets specific components of the cancer cells)
- Immunotherapy (medication that suppresses or stimulates the immune system to enable it to better fight the cancer)
With some highly advanced cases of GI cancer that cannot be effectively treated, the goal of caregivers may be to alleviate symptoms rather than provide a cure.
Quality GI Doctors in Syracuse, New York
At the Department at SUNY: Upstate Medical University, our highly trained and experienced doctors are board-certified in hematology, oncology, or both, providing cancer care on an inpatient and outpatient basis. In addition to diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal cancer, we also offer a multidisciplinary approach to hemophilia care, neurologic-oncology services, breast cancer services, thoracic-oncology services, therapeutic apheresis, and allogenic and autologous bone-marrow transplant services.
Our cancer program is ranked in the top 20 percent of cancer care programs nationwide by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and is the only program accredited by the organization in the 17-county area of Central New York.
To learn more about our oncology services, you can contact us at DeptMedicine@upstate.edu. Or to schedule an appointment, please call your hematology/oncology provider directly.
