Gastrointestinal Cancer

Regardless of which type of cancer is affecting the GI tract, at Mediclinic a multidisciplinary team will study each and every single case and offer a tailored plan that is suitable for every patient.  

OESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Oesophageal cancer occurs when malignant cells grow in the oesophagus which, the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach, the function of which is to move food from the throat into the stomach. Oesophageal cancer may occur in any part of the oesophagus.  

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Coughing or hoarseness
• Worsening indigestion or heartburn
• Vomiting
• Choking on food
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain in the throat and behind the breastbone

Causes and risk factors may include:

• Smoking
• Reflux GERD
• Obesity
• Unhealthy diets
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Drinking very hot liquids regularly

Diagnosis

There are several investigations that can help diagnose oesophageal cancer including an endoscopy procedure. Speak to your physician who will guide you on the best screening option for you.

Treatment

Treatment protocols vary and depend on the stage of the cancer. A multidisciplinary team will study all cases and offer a tailored plan that is suitable for every patient.  

STOMACH CANCER

The stomach is an organ in the GI tract that receives food from the oesophagus and then helps break it down and digest it. 

Stomach cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the stomach and it can affect any part of the stomach.

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling bloated

Causes and risk factors may include:

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Consuming foods high in salt and smoked food
• Diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Smoking

Diagnosis:

An endoscopic procedure is usually used to diagnose stomach cancer, which involves inserting a tiny camera through a tube into the stomach to look for any signs of cancer. Normally a sample of tissue is removed and tested to rule out any presence of stomach cancer. There are other types of imaging tests used to diagnose stomach cancer including CT scan.

Treatment

The treatment of the cancer will be dependent on various factors, primarily on the location and stage of the cancer.  The treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

A multidisciplinary team will study all cases and offer a tailored plan that is suitable for every patient.  

COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumour that grows in the colon or the rectum. Most colorectal cancer starts with the growth of polyps in the lining of the colon. Not all polyps may develop into colorectal cancer; the type that may develop into cancer may take 10 to 15 years to develop into colorectal cancer. Therefore, regular screening is vital for early detection of polyps which can be removed via a colonoscopy procedure before they have the chance to turn into colorectal cancer.

Lifestyle changes and prevention:

To decrease your risk of developing colon cancer consider the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay active on most days of the week
• Consume a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Reduce the consumption of red meat and processed meat
• Limit your alcohol intake and smoking

Most polyps cause no symptoms, but symptoms associated with colorectal cancer may include:

• Bleeding in the rectum/blood in the stool
• A change in bowel habits/narrow stools
• Cramps and discomfort in the abdomen
• Anaemia
• Fatigue
• Feeling that your bowel is not empty
• Unexplained weight loss

Screening:

There are several tests that can help diagnose colorectal cancer including a colonoscopy procedure and a test that looks for blood in the stool.

Treatment:

Treatment protocols vary and depend on the stage of the cancer. A multidisciplinary team will study all cases and offer a tailored plan that is suitable for every patient.

LIVER CANCER

The liver is a very important organ that manages many tasks including the filtering of blood that flows from the intestine, processing and storing nutrients that the intestines absorb, and producing bile which is used to digest fat, among other functions.

There are two different types of liver cancer.  Primary cancer is cancer that starts in the liver and secondary cancer is cancer that spreads into the liver from another part of the body.  

Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Loss of weight or appetite
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Fatty liver on ultrasound scan
• Mass in the liver or pancreas seen on ultrasound or CT/MRI scan
• Diagnosis of cancer in the GI tract or liver

Diagnosis:

There are various tests used to diagnose liver cancer. These include blood tests to determine the liver function and detect any tumour markers, ultrasound, CT and MRI to locate the tumour.

Treatment:

Treatment protocols vary and depend on the stage of the cancer. A multidisciplinary team will study all cases and offer a tailored plan that is suitable for every patient.  

PANCREATIC CANCER

The pancreas is one of the digestive organs in the body and is located behind the stomach. It produces digestive juices called enzymes that help break down starch, sugar and fat. The pancreas also produces hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels, appetite and stimulates stomach acids.

Causes and risk factors:

• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas
• Overweight
• Family history

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Pain around the upper abdomen.
• jaundice may occur making the skin and eyes appear yellow

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

A range of medical imaging procedures are used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cancer stage and how far the cancer progressed it may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

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