Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Programme

Best Gastrointestinal (Gi) Cancer Treatment Hospital In Delhi

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer includes all the cancers in your digestive tract organs such as the stomach, large intestine, biliary system, small intestine, pancreas, colon, liver, rectum, and anus.

The GI Cancer Programme in Delhi offers a range of surgeries including -Oesophagectomies, Gastric and Liver Resections, Colectomies, Radical Pancreatic Surgeries, etc. With an unparalleled depth of knowledge, access to innovative research and technology, a caring and compassionate approach, experts at the cancer centre are able to provide each patient with a comprehensive multi-speciality evaluation and a personalised path to the most effective treatment for GI cancer surgery in Delhi.

The Centre has extensive treatment expertise for patients with all forms of Gastrointestinal Cancers including Robotic surgeries for Gastric Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Pancreatic and Gallbladder Cancer, Colon and Rectal Cancer and Liver Resection.

What Is Gastrointestinal Cancer?

Gastrointestinal cancer includes cancer of the organs of the digestive tract, such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus and biliary system.


Causes of gastrointestinal cancer


The exact cause of gastrointestinal cancer is unknown. However, researchers believe that the following factors play a role in gastrointestinal cancer.

  • Obesity

  • Infection

  • Smoking

  • Environmental risk factors

  • Family history

  • Alcohol consumption

  • High intake of salt

  • High animal fat diet

Associated anatomy

The following organs are associated with gastrointestinal cancer

  • Stomach

  • Liver 

  • PancreaS

  • Small intestine

  • Large intestine

  • Rectum

  • Anus 

  • Biliary system

The staging system is different for diffent organs in GI tract.

Natural progression
Gastrointestinal cancer is asymptomatic initially, then symptoms like loss of appetite and weight loss appear. It may further progress to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dysphagia.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer is a term that encompasses a group of cancers that affect the digestive system or the gastrointestinal tract.  The GI cancer includes cancers of the:

  • Oesophagus

  • Stomach

  • Liver

  • Pancreas

  • Gallbladder

  • Biliary tract

  • Small intestine

  • Colon

  • Rectum

  • Anus

What Are The Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Cancer?

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Cancer vary, depending upon the type of cancer. It may include:

  • Abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort

  • Sudden variation in bowel habits, such as consistency, frequency or shape

  • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool

  • Bloating

  • Fatigue

  • Indigestion

  • Feeling bloated after  meals

  • Heartburn

  • Loss of appetite

  • Swelling in your stomach

  • Constipation or diarrhoea

  • Weakness or feeling tired

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Yellowish eyes or skin

  • Unintentional weight loss

How Is Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnosed?

Doctors conduct many tests to diagnose cancer and ascertain if  the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Gastrointestinal Cancer is often diagnosed using the following tests:

  • Endoscopic examinations

    • Upper GI Endoscopy

    • Colonoscopy

  • Barium Studies

  • Imaging Studies

    1. CT Scan

    2. MRI Scan

    3. PET Scan

    • Contrast Studies

  • Diagnostic Laparoscopy

What Are The Possible Treatments For Gastrointestinal Cancer?

There are varied treatment options to remove or cure cancer within the digestive tract and nearby tissues. These may include surgical processes, therapies or a combination of both.

  • There are four main types of surgical processes:

    1. Endoluminal Laser Process: This technique involves removal of an early-stage tumour found in the digestive tract.

    2. Open Surgery: The GI cancer indications are treated using the conventional techniques

    3. Laparoscopic Surgery: Minimally Invasive Surgery technique is used for this surgery involving  very less operative morbidity

  • Radiation therapy: Involves the use of high-energy waves to treat cancer cells and prevent local recurrence

  • Chemotherapy: Involves the use of Chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer cells and prevent local recurrence

  • Targeted Therapy: Targets cancer specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival

  • Immunotherapy: Involves the use of medicines that prompt the body's immune system or natural defences to destroy cancer

A patient might get Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, or Targeted Therapy along with surgery or radiation. This multidisciplinary approach helps in treating the residual cancer cells, during other forms of treatment.

What Are The Precautions One Must Take To Avoid Gastrointestinal Cancer?

  • Keep a healthy weight.

  • If you have ulcers from an H. pylori infection, get proper treatment for the infection

  • If you take aspirin daily to prevent heart problems or NSAID drugs for arthritis, then talk to your doctor for its use.

  • Be physically more active, exercise for at least 30 minutes daily.

  • Eat healthy food and avoid too much alcohol consumption.

  • Avoid the use of tobacco and stop smoking.

Are There Any Risk Factors Involved?

Some of the major factors that lead to Gastrointestinal Cancer are:

  • Smoking

  • Excessive alcohol consumption

  • Increasing age

  • Diet high in animal fat

  • Diets having a high amount of salt, or contain poorly preserved foods

  • Chronic pancreatitis

  • Obesity

  • Stomach surgery for an ulcer

  • Type-A blood group

  • Epstein-Barr virus infection

  • Certain genes

  • Working in coal, metal, timber, or rubber industries

  • Exposure to asbestos

Possible complications of gastrointestinal cancer

If not treated, gastrointestinal cancer can lead to-

  • Abdominal pain

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Weight Loss

  • Jaundice 

  • Ascites

  • Bowel obstruction

Prognosis

Various factors determine the prognosis of gastrointestinal cancer such as-

Type of cancer and part of gastrointestinal tract affected

  • Stage of cancer

  • Age and general health of the patient

  • Response of body to treatment

Consult your doctor to know the prognosis in your case.
 

Conditions Treated at Cancer Centre.

It is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine. It typically affects older adults.

Causes...

Stomach cancer occurs in the stomach due to the abnormal growth of cells. It is also known as gastric...

Cholangiocarcinoma is the medical term for bile duct cancer. It starts in the bile ducts, within the...

Liver cancer is fairly common and often difficult to treat. Liver cancer is divided mainly into primary...

Procedures Performed at Cancer Centre

A subtotal Gastrectomy involves the elimination or removal of some parts of the stomach especially...

Hemicolectomy is a procedure that involves surgical removal of a portion (right or left) of the colon....

Pancreatic surgery is performed to remove some portion of the pancreas or the entire pancreas, depending...

Overview

In distal pancreatectomy, the tail and/or a portion of the pancreas...

OVERVIEW

Radical prostatectomy is the procedure of surgical excision of...

A colectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove all of the colon or large intestine or a part...

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