About
Esophageal (food pipe) , stomach, and small intestine Cancers are gastrointestinal that can adversely impact the different parts of the digestive system.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer develops in the esophagus which is the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. There are mainly two types:
- Adenocarcinoma: This Usually occurs in the lower part of the esophagus and is often related to chronic acid reflux (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This one is more common in the upper and middle part of the esophagus and is often caused due to smoking, heavy alcohol use, and dietary factors
Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer:
- Difficulty swallowing
- chest pain
- weight loss
- indigestion
- persistent cough
Stomach Cancer
Stomach (Gastric) cancer starts in the stomach lining. Risk factors and common causes include infection with H. pylori bacteria, smoking, high consumption of salt and smoked foods, and certain genetic factors.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer:
There are generally no signs at the initial stages but Later symptoms include
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- bloating
- feeling full after eating small amounts
- unintentional weight loss
Small Intestine Cancer
Cancer of the small intestine is rare as compared to other gastrointestinal cancers. It can develop anywhere along the small intestine, which is further divided into three parts, namely : duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Symptoms of Small Intestine Cancer:
- Abdominal pain
- cramping
- weight loss
- blood in the stool
- changes in bowel habits
- fatigue
- lump or mass in the abdomen
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the above cancers can be done by:
Imaging tests that include:
- CT scan
- MRI
- Capsule endoscopy
- Biopsy
- Exploratory surgery or laparotomy
Treatment
Common treatments for these types of cancers are:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy
- radiation therapy
