Gastrointestinal cancers account for more than a quarter of all cancer diagnoses. In 2018, an estimated 5 million new cases of GI cancer were reported. According to 2020 data from GLOBOCAN, approximately 600,000 cases of esophageal cancer were detected, along with 1.1 million cases of gastric cancer, and 1.9 million cases of colorectal cancer. While these cancers are usually found in older patients, the number of gastrointestinal cancers found in younger people is steadily increasing, and can often be harder to cure when compared to other types of cancers.

While it’s not entirely known why gastrointestinal cancers occur, several can increase a person’s risk for GI cancer. These include smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, frequent GI infections, unhealthy dietary habits, and obesity. People with a family history of any kind of gastrointestinal cancer may also be at an increased risk, and should speak with their doctor to ensure that they’re undergoing recommended screening processes for their age and background.

Because gastrointestinal cancer refers to a variety of different cancer types, it can be difficult to determine a specific symptom or symptoms that are indicative of GI cancer(s) being present. While these symptoms can vary in type and severity depending on the type or types of cancer present, they generally include (but are not limited to) severe abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, nausea, vomiting/vomiting of blood, dark or bloody stool, difficulty/pain while swallowing, weakness, fatigue, jaundice of the skin, dark colored urine, excessive indigestion/heartburn, and a feeling of “fullness” in the abdomen, even after having a bowel movement. If you continue to experience one or more of these unexplained symptoms, reach out to your doctor to decide if you should be screened for GI cancer.

Vomiting/vomiting of blood

Jaundice of the skin

Depending on the type of gastrointestinal cancer, as well as the stage of the tumor, a number of different treatment plans may be suited for you and your case. Generally, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is the preferred method of treating gastrointestinal cancer. Surgery is often used as the “first step” in a GI cancer patient’s treatment if caught in an early stage. Otherwise, chemotherapy combined with radiation may be called for. Surgery may also follow this. While there are a variety of surgical procedures that may be performed, these generally will involve the removal of one or more areas of the body that contain cancerous tumors or growth.

Types of radiation commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal and abdominal cancer types include image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). EBRT can consist of additional treatment types, such as three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc radiation therapy (VMAT). Working with a qualified oncology team can help to determine which type or types of radiation treatment a patient is best suited for is critical in creating a treatment plan that gives a patient the best chances of recovery with minimal complications and discomfort.

While radiotherapy treatment for gastrointestinal cancers can come with some side effects, these can usually be managed with proper care. Always communicate any side effects you experience to your medical team so they can provide the most effective care and support.

Side effect: Fatigue
What you can do: Get plenty of rest, and ask for help with your daily tasks if needed. When possible, eat well and include some light to moderate activity in your day.

Side effect: Difficulty eating, loss of appetite
What you can do: Eat small meals and snacks frequently, and make sure to eat high-calorie and high-protein foods when you can. Eat whenever your appetite is best, and drink plenty of water unless you are on a fluid-restricted diet.

Side effect: Indigestion, Nausea, Vomiting
What you can do: Keep track of all of the things that give you nausea or make you want to vomit and try to avoid them, and also avoid your favorite foods when you have nausea in order to keep you from disliking them in the future. Try chewing food slowly and well, and avoid fatty, fried, very spicy, or very sweet foods. Consider adding more lukewarm or cold foods to your diet.

Side effect: Bowel reactions such as cramping, bloating, or diarrhea
What you can do: Try to drink at least 8-10 cups of water today and avoid laxatives unless instructed by your care team to do so. Avoid foods that can cause bowel reactions such as fiber-rich fruits and veggies, diuretics like coffee and tea, fried foods, or alcohol.