The digestive system neoplasms are the tumors that can develop in the oesophagus, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, pancreas or the anus. The symptoms are associated with the type of organ affected. Early detection is essential for the treatment which can cure cancer with surgery. The prognosis is usually based on the type of cancer, location, the stage and if it has spread to other parts of the body. The treatment consists of surgery to remove the affected area, chemotherapy, radiation or the combination of both depending on the case.
Oesophageal cancer
Oesophagus cancer develops in the tube that delivers food to the stomach from the mouth. It can develop as the result of certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking and obesity. This type of cancer appears to be more common in people aged 60 and older. Additional causes can include certain medical conditions such as achalasia when the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach doesn’t relax very well. The symptoms include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, persistent acid indigestion, regurgitation, pain in the throat, hoarse voice, weight loss, dark colored stool and coughing up blood. If this type of cancer is identified in the advanced stage, the cure may not be possible.
Gastric cancer
Gastric cancer develops in the mucosal layer of the stomach and can spread to the outer layer as the condition progresses. Some of the risk factors associated with developing gastric cancer include having certain medical conditions such as chronic gastritis or pernicious anemia, a diet high in salt, smoking and having a sibling with stomach cancer. The early stages of gastric cancer can present mild nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn and indigestion. The advanced form can present symptoms such as blood in the stool, jaundice, weight loss, abdominal pain and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
Small intestine cancer
This is a rare form of cancer that develops in the tissues of the small intestine. The three major types that affect 60 – 70% of the cases of small intestine cancer include sarcoma, carcinoid tumors and lymphoma. Some of the risk factors for developing this type of cancer include the presence of a medical condition such as crohn’s disease, celiac disease and a high-fat diet. The common symptoms of small intestine cancer include weight loss, blood in the stool, lump in the abdomen and pain or cramps of the abdomen.
Colorectal cancer
This develops in the colon or the rectum which are a part of the large intestine. The colon absorbs the nutrients from the food and stores the stool which moves into the rectum before leaving the body. Colorectal cancer usually begins as a growth known as the polyp in the inner wall of the colon. Early detection of the polyps can help prevent developing colorectal cancer. Some of the risk factors for developing this cancer include a family history of colorectal cancer, affected with a condition known as crohn’s disease, consuming high-fat diet and smoking. The common symptoms of colorectal cancer consist of diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, blood in the stool, frequent cramps, weight loss, nausea and stools that are narrow. As initial stages may not present any symptoms, it is important that individuals over the age of 50 get screening tests as early detection can cure cancer.
References
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/oesophageal-cancer/symptoms
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-oesophagus/Pages/Introduction.aspx#treatment
https://www.cancer.gov/types/stomach/patient/stomach-treatment-pdq#section/_50
