Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer

One of the essential systems for our body is the Digestive System. It helps in maintaining proper functionality for the rest of the body. The Medical specialty that focuses on the health of the digestive system is referred to as Gastroenterology. 

The function of the digestive system is to break food into smaller parts, absorb nutrients so that various organs and cells in our body can utilize them. Lastly, it helps to pass the waste material out of the body. The process consists of different stages. Digestive System in humans is made up of the Gastrointestinal Tract wherein the process initiates at the mouth and then continues through the esophagus, stomach, and lastly the small and large intestines.  

The malignant conditions that arises in the Gastrointestinal Tract (GI tract) and accessory organs of digestion, including the esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus is referred as Gastrointestinal cancer. The treatment depends on the location of the tumor, as well as the type of cancer cell and whether it has invaded other tissues or spread elsewhere. 

Gastrointestinal Cancers fall into two categories:

  • Upper Gastrointestinal cancer 
  • Lower Gastrointestinal cancer


What is Upper Gastrointestinal cancer?

Cancers that affect the Upper Gastrointestinal tract organs is referred as Upper Gastrointestinal cancer. The symptoms relate to the organ affected and can include obstruction (leading to difficulty swallowing or defecating), abnormal bleeding or other associated problems. The diagnosis often requires endoscopy, followed by biopsy of suspicious tissue.

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NOTE: Above More accurate treatment cost estimates can be provided if medical reports are emailed to us or after the patient is examined by doctors after arrival at hospital in India and medical tests are done after admission.

Frequently asked questions about Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer

What is upper gastrointestinal cancer?

Stomach cancers, also called upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers happen in the organs that are found in the upper section of the digestive system. The UGI organs of the digestive system (how we eat and process food) include: Esophagus, Stomach, Pancreas, Liver, Pancreas and Gall Bladder.

What are gastrointestinal cancer symptoms?

Signs and Symptoms include:

  • Abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort
  • Change in bowel habits, such as frequency or consistency or shape
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
  • Bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Fatigue
Does gastrointestinal cancer curable?

When gastric cancer is found very early, there is a better chance of recovery. Gastric cancer is often in an advanced stage when it is diagnosed. At later stages, gastric cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured. 

What is the most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract?

CRC, colorectal cancer; GI, gastrointestinal. CRC is the most common type of GI cancer, with 1.85 million new cases diagnosed worldwide in 2018, making it the third most common of all organ cancers, after lung and breast.

What cancers affect the digestive system?

  The most common types of gastrointestinal cancers that affect are:

  • Esophageal cancer
  • Gastric (stomach) cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Gallbladder 
What are the treatments for gastrointestinal cancer?

Treatment for gastric cancer may include further surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy or combination of any one of them. The goal of surgery is to remove all the gastric cancer and surrounding healthy tissue, if possible. There are several different kinds of surgery for gastric cancer, depending on the stage at which the cancer is found.

Which organs can be found affected by cancer in upper gastrointestinal (UGI)?

Stomach cancers also called upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers happen in the organs that are found in the upper section of the digestive system. The UGI organs of the digestive system (how we eat and process food) include:

  • Esophagus 
  • Stomach 
  • Pancreas 
  • Liver 
  • Gall bladder 

How is upper gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed?

Tests and procedures used to diagnose gastric cancer may include an upper endoscopy, imaging tests such as a CT scan, and a special test called a Barium Swallow test.

How many stages does stomach cancer have?

The earliest stage stomach cancers are called stage 0 (carcinoma in situ), and then range from stages I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more.

What is the typical prognosis of gastric cancer?

About 75% of the patients with stomach cancer are expected to survive for 5 years or more after their diagnosis. After the diagnosis, an average of 50% stage 2 stomach cancer patients are expected to survive for 5 years or more Stage 3 stomach cancer life expectancy or survival rate is predicted to about 20% for five years after the diagnosis.

What are the top hospitals for Upper Gastrointestinal cancer treatment?

Top 10 cancer specialty hospitals in India

  • Apollo CBCC, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 
  • Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  • The Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai.
  • Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai.
  • The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi.
  • Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru.
  • Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  •  HCG, Bengaluru

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Types of Upper Gastrointestinal cancer:
There are five types of cancer involved with this, which are as follows:

Esophageal cancer:

The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.  Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Esophagus is lined with the cells known as Squamous cells. If a tumor begins in this area, it is known as a Squamous cell carcinoma. The area at the bottom of the esophagus, are lined with columnar cells. If a malignant tumor begins in this region, it's called an Adenocarcinoma.


Its common Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Painful swallowing (odynophagia)
  • Weight loss
  • Heartburn
  • Persistent cough, loss of voice


Stomach cancer:

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is a cancer that starts in the mucus-producing cells on the inside lining of the stomach. It generally develops very slowly. Most gastric cancers begin in the glandular cells of the stomach and are called adenocarcinoma.

Its common Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain

Pancreatic cancer:
The pancreas release insulin and glucagon that in turn helps in regulating blood sugar levels. It helps in the digestion of food by providing additional enzymes. Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas and typically spreads rapidly to nearby organs. These cancers are categorized as endocrine or non endocrine tumors. 

Its common Symptoms include:
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice or pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Liver cancer:
Liver cancer arises in the liver, an organ located beneath your lower ribs on the right side of your abdomen. Several types of cancer can form in the liver. The most common type of liver cancer is Hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in the main type of liver cell (hepatocyte). Other types of liver cancer, such as Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Hepatoblastoma, are much less common. Symptoms such as pain or difficulty eating can occur.

Gallbladder cancer:
The gallbladder works as storage for bile fluid that is produced by the liver.  Gallbladder cancer is uncommon, and sometimes difficult to diagnose because it often causes no specific signs or symptoms. Its signs include, Jaundice, weight loss, vomiting and symptoms might show loss of appetite and abdominal pain.

What are the Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer?
Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer vary, depending on the type of cancer. Symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort
  • Change in bowel habits, such as frequency or consistency or shape
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
  • Bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Fatigue

What are the Risk Factors and Causes of Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer?
Some of the risks factors which aggravate the cancer are: 
  • Smoking
  • Red meat consumption
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Increasing age
  • Diet high in animal fat
  • Diet containing high amounts of salted, cured, or poorly preserved foods
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Obesity
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