A Primer on Gastrointestinal Cancer

Posted by Clinical Care Options, LLC on March 13th, 2020

Many people suffer from gastrointestinal or stomach cancer. Luckily, modern medicine has ways of treating it as long as it's detected early. Here's a brief overview of the illness:

What Is It?

Gastrointestinal cancer begins when malignant cells form in the inner lining of the stomach. Over the years, it can grow into a tumor that'll spread to other organs, such as the esophagus, pancreas, small and large intestine, and rectum.

An endoscopy is usually required to diagnose the illness. Once that's done, the doctor will prescribe a treatment, which will depend on the type of cancer cells and where they're located. Because it can infect so many organs, the disease can lead to various complications.

What Are the Causes?

The exact reason why cancer cells grow in the stomach is still unknown. But, some things do increase the danger of contracting the illness. For example, infection from a bacteria called H. pylori, which causes ulcers, is a common risk factor. Inflammation and polyps in the gut also heighten the chance of a patient getting the disease.

There are other risk factors. The illness is known to manifest more in people who smoke, are overweight, and work in the coal, metal, or timber industries. Patients with a relative who had stomach cancer are also more likely to develop it, as well.

What Are the Symptoms?

In the beginning, the cancer cells may cause indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite, or slight nausea. On their own, there's no reason to worry about them. But, if they happen together and with increasing frequency, talk to a doctor immediately.

As the tumor grows, the patient will have more serious symptoms. They'll start experiencing stomach pains and lose weight for no reason. The person will also see blood in their stools and go through bouts of constipation or diarrhea. Vomiting, yellowish skin or eyes, and difficulty swallowing are signs to watch out for, as well.

How Can It Be Prevented?

Because the cause of gastrointestinal cancer isn't clear, there's still no definite way to prevent it. But, there are ways to reduce the risk of contracting it. Here are a few things you can do:

• Exercise as often as you can. Make time for physical activity at least once a day.
• Eat healthy foods. Incorporate different fruits and vegetables into your diet. You should also avoid consuming salty and smoked dishes.
• Avoid smoking. Cigarettes increase the chance of contracting not only gastrointestinal cancer but other kinds, as well.
• Speak to your doctor regularly. Have regular checkups. If you feel any of the symptoms manifesting, don't hesitate to contact them. It may be nothing, but there's no harm in making sure.

If you think you're exhibiting any of the disease's symptoms or just have more questions about it, consult a doctor with a gastrointestinal cancer CME to address your concerns. If you have the illness, they'll give you a diagnosis so you can start with your treatment as soon as possible.