What is Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer?

It is a term for the group of cancers that affect the digestive system. This includes cancers of the oesophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, bowel (large intestine or colon and rectum), and anus. GI Cancers do not discriminate between men and women.

What are Thoracic Malignancies?

Thoracic malignancies include cancer of esophagus, lung and mediastinum (all cancers within the rib cage).

Causes of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Smoking and consumption of alcohol
• Infection with bacteria known as Hpylori, known to cause ulcers in the stomach
• Heavy consumption of smoked meat, fish and food with high quantity of salt
• Recent study has shown that obesity is a predisposing risk factor

Symptoms of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Blood loss
• Abdominal (belly) discomfort or pain
• A mass or swelling in the abdomen
• Nausea, vomiting
• Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swallowing problems (for tumors in the Oesophagus)
• Blood in sputum
• Chronic cough

Preventions of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Avoid exposure to risk factors that can be modified like not taking salty, smoked or processed foods
• Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in your diet
• If you have a Helicobacter pylori infection, get treated to avoid stomach ulcer and gastritis
• Avoiding tobacco (in any form) and alcohol intake
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Treating reflux disease (heartburn)

Diagnosis of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Upper GI endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Imaging tests: CT, X-ray, MRI, PET & NACT
• Biopsy
• Barium swallow
• Bronchoscopy
• thoracocentesis

Treatment of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Endoscopic resection for very early cancers
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy (use of drugs)
• Radiotherapy
• Palliative surgery is done for cancers that cannot be removed completely
• Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may also be helpful in advanced stomach cancers

Salient Features of GI, Lung and Thoracic Cancer

• Well experienced & specially trained GI, Lung & Thoracic Cancer expert used to operate through endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic surgery and open methods
• Protocol and evidence-based treatment to get the best outcomes
• Team of full-time dedicated specialists available 24 x 7
• Sub-specialty based treatment of all cancers to get the best results