Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery in Delhi

Gastrointestinal Cancer

What is gastrointestinal cancer?

Gastrointestinal cancer is characterized by the development of cancerous cells in the gastrointestinal system. The organs that may be affected during gastrointestinal cancer include the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, colon, liver, rectum, and anus. In 2018, the new cases of gastrointestinal cancers were 4.8 million. The number of total deaths occurring throughout the world due to gastrointestinal cancer was 3.4 million. Gastrointestinal cancer accounts for almost 26% of the total cancer incidence globally. These cancers also have a share of around 35% in all cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis helps in the effective management of the disease.

What are the various types of gastrointestinal cancer treated in Delhi?

Treatment of all types of gastrointestinal cancers is available in Delhi. Some of them are:

• Stomach Cancer: Stomach cancer is the development of malignant cells in the stomach. It is also known as gastric cancer. There are several types of stomach cancer. The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma.
• Pancreatic Cancer: Pancreatic cancer initiates in the pancreatic tissues. The pancreas assists in the digestion of food and secretes necessary hormones. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma. This cancer occurs in the duct that carries the digestive juice from the pancreas.
• Liver Cancer: Liver is present in the abdominal cavity and performs several functions. Liver cancer is of several types. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma which occurs in hepatocytes.
• Colorectal cancer: Cancer of the colon is known as colon cancer. Cancer of the rectum is known as rectal cancer. Both cancers are sometimes clubbed together and called colorectal cancer.
• Anal cancer: Cancer of the anal tissue is known as anal cancer. The most common type of anal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.
• Esophageal cancer: Esophagus is a long hollow structure that extends from the oral cavity to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is the cancer of any tissue of the esophagus.

What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer?

Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer depend upon the site of cancerous tissues in the gastrointestinal tract.The symptoms of these cancers depend upon the location of the tumor.Some of the common symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer include abdominal swelling and pain, weight loss or loss of appetite, digestion problems, change in bowel frequency or narrowing of stool, diarrhea or constipation, tiredness or weakness, and black o tar-colored stool. Jaundice and difficulty in swallowing are other symptoms.

What are the causes of gastrointestinal cancer?

The exact cause of gastrointestinal cancer is not known. The information about the division of cells is stored in the DNA. However, due to certain factors, this information gets disturbed. It results in uncontrolled cell division resulting in the development of tumors. The tumor then moves to the nearby or distant lymph nodes and other organs.

What are the risk factors for gastrointestinal cancer?

Several factors increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Some of them are:

• Gender: Men are at increased risk for developing gastrointestinal cancer than women.
• Underlying medical conditions: Several underlying diseases increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Hepatitis A or B infection increases the risk of liver cancer. H. Pylori infection increases the risk of gastric cancer. Prolonged ulcers and gastritis also increase the risk of stomach cancer.
• Unhealthy lifestyle: People consuming alcohol, smoking, and unhealthy diets are at higher risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer.
• Age: The risk of gastrointestinal cancer increases with age.

How can I prevent the development of gastrointestinal cancer?

Various methods may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Some of them are:

• Routine checkups, such as colonoscopy or abdominal imaging, in high-risk patients.
• Managing diseases such as gastritis, H. Pylori infection, and hepatitis.
• Leading a healthy lifestyle, i.e., limiting the consumption of alcohol, exercise quit smoking, and take a healthy diet.

You should consult with the best GI surgeon in Delhi to know more about the measures to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancer.

How does the doctor diagnose gastrointestinal cancer?

There are several ways to diagnose gastrointestinal cancer. These are:

• Physical examination: The doctor may evaluate the symptoms of the patients such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
• Laboratory tests: The doctor may advise the patients to undergo blood tests, urine tests, and stool tests to rule out the presence of other diseases.
• Other techniques: Techniques such as colonoscopy, endoscopy, MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound helps in determining the anatomical changes in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Biopsy: The doctor may obtain a small tissue sample from the suspected site and analyze it in the laboratory for malignancy.

Which doctors should I consult for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in Delhi?

Visit a specialized gastroenterologist for an initial evaluation of your condition. If the specialist suspects that you might have cancer, he may refer you to the gastrointestinal oncologist. The oncologist will perform a comprehensive analysis. If you have gastrointestinal cancer that requires surgery, the doctor may advise you to consult the best GI surgeon in Delhi.

What are the treatments for gastrointestinal cancer in Delhi?

Various options are available for gastrointestinal cancer treatment in Delhi. Some of the options are:

• Surgery: If the surgeon can easily reach the cancerous tissue, it is the preferred treatment option. The surgeon may remove the affected part. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may accompany the surgery in killing those malignant cells that are difficult to reach.
• Chemotherapy: The doctor prescribes you chemotherapeutic medicines that kill the cancerous cells. The doctor may use this therapy along with radiation therapy or surgery.
• Radiation therapy: The doctor may also advise you to undergo radiation therapy. During the therapy the radiologists target the high-energy radiation on the cancerous cells, thereby killing them.

What is the prognosis of gastrointestinal cancer?

Prognosis depends upon several factors. These are the stage of diagnosis, age of the patient, organ involved, and response to treatment. People with cancer diagnosed at an early stage have a better outcome than those with cancer who progressed in the advanced stage.

How many days do I need to stay for treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in Delhi?

It depends upon the type of treatment and the stage of your disease. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy are outpatient.