11 gastrointestinal cancers

Digestive tract cancer has many different types, such as anal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, small bowel cancer, adnexal cancer,... Each type of digestive tract cancer will have different manifestations and progression as well as the degree of impact for each patient.

Here are 11 common types of gastrointestinal cancers:

Anal cancer is a condition in which cells in the lining of the anal canal or anal margin grow abnormally, out of control, forming tumors that have the ability to invade normal tissues or other body parts. According to research, the most common types of anal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Anal margin cancers are also known as perianal skin cancers, because they tend to behave more like skin cancers than anal cancers. Several other types of cancer can also develop in the anus, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, and lymphoma.
Anal cancer usually begins with anal dysplasia (anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) or precancerous). Anal dysplasia usually occurs when the cells of the anus show abnormal but asymptomatic changes that spread to surrounding tissues. The most severe form of anal dysplasia is carcinoma in situ, which occurs when cells have become cancerous but have not yet begun to invade normal tissue.
Over time, anal dysplasia changes to the point where the cells become invasive and there is a risk of metastasis (spread to other sites). When anal cancers metastasize, they usually spread through direct invasion into nearby tissue or through the lymphatic system. Blood-borne anal cancers are less common, but they can happen.
Causes of anal cancer can come from a number of factors below:
HPV infection. Smoking habit increases the risk of anal cancer up to 3 times higher than normal. Patients with conditions such as anal fistula, perianal abscess, or hemorrhoids are also at increased risk of anal cancer. HIV virus infection. When suffering from anal cancer, patients often have the following common symptoms:
Change in bowel pattern. Discharge in the anus. Anal itching. Warts appear in the anal area. Loss of control over bowel movements. Currently, this type of gastrointestinal cancer can be treated with methods such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, combined modalities, surgery and clinical trials. To find out which treatment is right for your health condition, you need to discuss specifically with a specialist.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a cancer of the bile duct, classified by histology (the type of tumor cells found under a microscope). The most common form of cholangiocarcinoma is adenocarcinoma.
Cholangiocarcinoma tends to develop in the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. Approximately 60-70% of cancers occur in the hilar region, about 25% arise from the distal hepatic duct system, and 5-10% arise from the intrahepatic ductal system.
Cholangiocarcinoma is more likely to occur in people over 65 years of age. Several risk factors lead to this gastrointestinal cancer, including:
Advanced age. Fat. Hepatitis. Family history of biliary tract cancer. Cirrhosis . Diabetes. Ulcerative colitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis. Bile duct cyst. Biliary tract infections in people with a history of typhoid fever. Exposure to chemicals, dioxins, nitrosamines, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos. To reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma, experts often recommend a few things like avoiding exposure to chemicals, getting a hepatitis vaccine, making sure to eat well, get regular exercise, quit smoking, and get a healthy diet. annual medical examination.

Colon cancer is another common gastrointestinal cancer, which occurs when cancer cells grow abnormally in the wall of the colon. Most colon polyps begin when normal tissue in the colon wall forms an adenomatous polyp or precancerous growth that protrudes from the wall of the rectum. When this polyp grows larger, it will lead to the formation of a tumor. This process can take years, so the disease can be caught early with screening tests.
According to research, colon cancer is the 4th most common cancer in both men and women. The risk of this gastrointestinal cancer is increased in the following people:
African Americans. People aged 55-74 years old. People with a personal or family history of polyps, colon cancer, or familial polyposis (FAP). People with Crohn's disease / have ulcerative colitis. Lifestyle factors such as a diet high in fat and red meat, low in vegetables and fruits, high calorie consumption, and little physical activity. Fat. Smoke . Using too much alcohol. When a tumor grows in the wall of the rectum, it can cause bleeding or blockage of the colon, along with the following other symptoms:
Bleeding from the rectum. Bloody stools. Change in the shape and texture of stools (loose stools). Feeling of stomach cramps. The feeling of wanting to have a bowel movement when you don't really need to. To prevent this gastrointestinal cancer, experts recommend that people build a low-fat diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, and cut down on red meat consumption. In addition, you should also exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Another important thing to prevent colon cancer is to not smoke or quit (if you do), and limit alcohol consumption as much as possible.

Most esophageal cancers develop from the inner lining of the esophagus (mucosa). Esophageal cancer can form in the upper (proximal) esophagus from squamous cells (squamous cell carcinoma) or in the lower (distal) esophagus (adenocarcinoma). In addition, patients are sometimes diagnosed with precancerous lesions, called carcinoma in situ. These precancerous lesions can be seen before they develop into squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
According to research, esophageal cancer affects men more than women. Several risk factors lead to the development of this gastrointestinal cancer, including:
Smoking. Drink a lot of alcohol. Fat . A diet that consumes large amounts of processed meat. HPV virus. Exposure to asbestos fibers, nitrosamines and petroleum products. Metaplasia (peristalsis in the esophagus does not work properly). Damage to the esophagus caused by ingestion of lye. Have an eating disorder, such as bulimia. Having some genetic syndromes such as Bloom syndrome, Howel Evans, Fanconi anemia, Barrett's esophagus,... The most common sign of esophageal cancer is dysphagia, like having food stuck in the neck. throat or chest, causing the patient to feel as though he is suffocating. Also, swallowing food or saliva becomes painful. Some other symptoms of esophageal cancer, including burning pain in the chest, cough that won't go away, hiccups, vomiting, or bleeding from the esophagus leading to anemia (low red blood cell count) and black stools.
To treat this gastrointestinal cancer, the doctor may recommend surgery; use chemotherapy drugs (Carboplatin, Fluorouracil, Capecitabine,...); targeted therapy (Nivolumab, Ramucirumab, Trastuzumab,...); radiation therapy or supportive care.

The gallbladder is the organ that stores bile (the greenish liquid secreted by the liver, which helps in the digestion of fats). Gallbladder cancer usually occurs when gallbladder cells grow out of control, to some extent forming a tumor inside the gallbladder.
Several risk factors lead to the formation and growth of gallbladder cancer, including:
People who have had gallbladder problems, such as gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder. Have a history of typhoid fever. Fat. Family history of gallbladder cancer. When tumors grow in the gallbladder, they can cause gallstone-like symptoms, including:
Weight loss. Jaundice/eyes. Nausea. Stomach upset. There is no feeling of hunger. Treatment for gallbladder cancer will depend on the location, stage, and size of the tumor. Treatments can be applied individually or in combination to increase effectiveness, including: Radiation therapy (using high-energy X-rays), chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells), surgery (removal of a tumor in the gallbladder), palliative therapy (to help ease cancer symptoms).

Stomach cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the stomach grow out of control and form tumors that have the ability to invade normal tissue and metastasize to other sites. from near to far in the body. About 90-95% of stomach cancers arise from the lining of the stomach (adenocarcinoma). In addition, several other types of cancer can also develop in the stomach, including lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), or carcinoid tumor.
In the opinion of experts, stomach cancer can be caused by a number of factors below:
Diet high in salt, pickled or smoked foods. Smoking, excessive use of alcohol and other stimulants. People with blood type A have a higher risk of stomach cancer than other people. Having certain genetic diseases such as Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Peutz Jeghers syndrome, Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS), hereditary disseminated gastric cancer (HDGC). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. \ Pernicious anemia (autoimmune disease). In general, the symptoms of stomach cancer can closely resemble some other diseases such as gastritis or peptic ulcer. In the early stages, symptoms do not manifest until the cancer is quite advanced, including:
Weight loss, early satiety or no appetite. Discomfort and pain in the abdomen. There is blood in the stool or in the vomit. Nausea or vomiting. Heartburn. The abdomen swells due to the accumulation of fluid. Swollen lymph nodes in the navel, armpit and collarbone (in the severe stage). To prevent the risk of stomach cancer, it is extremely important to have a balanced diet. People at high risk for this gastrointestinal cancer should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, be active, and avoid tobacco use. If infected with H. pylori bacteria, patients need immediate treatment to reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

Tumor formation in the liver often occurs when the regulation of cells in the liver fails, including liver cells, bile duct cells or blood vessels in the liver. Primary liver cancer usually refers to malignancies that initially develop in the liver. When cancer spreads to other places, it is called a secondary liver tumor (liver metastasis).
Liver cancer includes many different types, including hepatocellular carcinoma, hemangioma, hepatoblastoma, or fibrolamellar liver cancer. There are several risk factors for the formation and development of liver cancer, such as:
Cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Aflatoxin B1 contamination from food. Tobacco use. Environmental factors such as anabolic steroid use, exposure to Arsenic, Vinyl chloride and Thorotrast. Having certain genetic diseases, including Wilson's disease, Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, or Hemochromatosis (too much iron absorption and storage). When liver cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, symptoms will begin to appear obvious, such as abdominal pain, bloating, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or eyes. The best way to prevent liver cancer is to avoid the risk factors associated with them, namely:
Reduce alcohol consumption, quit smoking. Prevention and treatment of HCV and HBV. Changing the way food is stored and prepared reduces the risk of aflatoxin exposure. Proper water treatment reduces the risk of arsenic contamination. Treat genetic diseases properly.

Another rare but gastrointestinal cancer is pancreatic cancer. According to research, this cancer often develops when cells behave abnormally and lead to tumor formation. Tumors in the pancreas can spread to the lymph nodes or other areas (metastasize). About 70% of these cancers occur in the head of the pancreas.
Several factors increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, including: Heavy alcohol use. Smoke. Have diabetes/obesity. People whose working environment is constantly exposed to gases and heavy metals. Family history of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, or colon (colon) cancer. Inherited mutations in genes, such as BRCA2 mutations. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer often appear when the tumor blocks the bile ducts or spreads to other organs, including weight loss, blood clot formation, upper abdominal/back pain, loss of appetite, jaundice , dark urine, weakness, nausea or vomiting. Currently, treatment for this type of gastrointestinal cancer will include options such as chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, Whipple surgery or palliative care.

Rectal cancer occurs when cells begin to grow out of control in the wall of the rectum, eventually forming a tumor. The process of developing a tumor in the rectum can take many years, which gives patients the opportunity to detect cancer early with screening tests. Most rectal cancers are adenocarcinomas.
The risk factors for colon cancer and rectal cancer are often the same. The average age of diagnosis of rectal cancer is 66 years old, the risk tends to increase with age. In addition, a number of other risk factors also contribute to this gastrointestinal cancer, including:
Personal or family history of colorectal polyps, colon cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
Lifestyle factors such as high intake of red meat, fat, low intake of fruits and vegetables, high calorie diet, low level of physical activity, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption.
The diet consumes large amounts of fat along with red meats. Eat less fruits & vegetables. High-calorie diet. Low level of physical activity. Fat. There are a number of screening tests that help detect rectal cancer early, including:
Digital Rectal Test (DRE). Fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Colonoscopy. Sigma colonoscopy. Fecal immunohistochemistry (FIT). Stool DNA test (Cologuard®).

The small intestine is part of the digestive tract, connecting the stomach to the large intestine. The small intestine consists of 3 main parts: duodenum, ileum, and jejunum. Small bowel cancer occurs when cells in the small intestine grow abnormally out of control. The most common types of small bowel cancer include adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, carcinoid, and lymphoma.
Several risk factors can lead to small bowel cancer, such as having colon cancer, having Crohn's/Celiac disease, smoking, drinking alcohol, and genetic mutations. When suffering from this digestive tract cancer, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain. Blood in stools that are dark, bright red, black, or tarry. Diarrhea . Weight loss. Yellow eyes/yellow skin. Feeling weak. To detect small bowel cancer, patients can do some diagnostic tests such as:
Check the stool in the blood. Colonoscopy. Intestinal endoscopy. Barium X-ray. CT scan, MRI and ultrasound.

Adnexal cancer occurs when the cells in the appendix do not grow as they should, leading to the formation of a tumor in the appendix. In general, this is a fairly rare type of gastrointestinal cancer, including several main types such as carcinoma of the colon (at the base of the appendix), neuroendocrine tumors (the tip of the appendix), mucosal appendix, Signet squamous cell carcinoma, stem cell carcinoma and thyroid neoplasm.
Adnexal cancers can form and grow due to a number of risk factors such as advanced age and sex (more women than men). When having this digestive tract cancer, the patient will have the following symptoms:
Pain near the hip or abdomen. There is a feeling of swelling in the abdomen. Appendicitis. There is fluid in the abdomen. Enlarge the waist quickly. Changes in bowel movements. There is a hard mass in the abdomen. To treat adnexal cancers, patients can choose from a number of methods such as appendectomy, peritoneal resection, intravenous chemotherapy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. targeted method.
Above are the common types of gastrointestinal cancer. Gastrointestinal cancer screening is a scientific and effective measure for early detection of gastrointestinal cancers (esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer) and giving the best treatment regimen. . Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has a package of screening and early detection of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus - stomach - colon) combined with clinical and paraclinical examination to bring the most accurate results. maybe.
When screening for gastrointestinal cancer at Vinmec, you will receive:
Gastrointestinal specialty examination with an oncologist (by appointment). Gastroscopy and colonoscopy with an NBI endoscope with anesthesia. Peripheral blood count (laser counter). Automated prothrombin time test. Automated thrombin time test. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test using an automated machine. General abdominal ultrasound.

Reference source: oncolink.org