Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer refers to malignancies impacting digestive system organs like the esophagus, stomach, colon, and pancreas. This vital topic covers...
Gastrointestinal cancer can affect various organs of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, liver, and small intestine.
Symptoms vary by cancer type but can include persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, or blood in stool.
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of imaging tests (e.g., CT, MRI), endoscopic procedures (e.g., colonoscopy, endoscopy) with biopsies, and blood tests (e.g., tumor markers).
Treatment often includes surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, frequently used in various combinations depending on the cancer type and stage.