Gastrointestinal Cancer

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a key component of your body’s digestive system. The GI tract helps to digest food, carry nutrients from food required by the body, and eliminate waste from the body. Thus, gastrointestinal cancer describes a group of cancers that impact the digestive system. GI cancer is the most common form of cancer. 

Common types of GI cancers include:

• Bowel (colorectal cancer), Small Intestine and Anal Cancer 
  

• Gallbladder Cancer 
  

• Stomach Cancer (gastric cancer)
  

• Liver Cancer 
  

• Oesophageal Cancer 
  

• Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer:

The pancreas is an organ located high in your abdomen and that lies horizontally behind your stomach. It is a gland that secretes enzymes which help the digestive process and hormones which assist in relating the metabolism of sugars. Pancreatic cancer starts in the tissues of your pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer is most common in people who are older (between the ages of fifty and eighty) and it is uncommon for people below the ages of forty. Although it is not confirmed what the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is, there are certain risk factors that have been identified for the disease. These include; smoking, age, obesity, and having a history of other medical illnesses (such as diabetes or chronic pancreatitis).

The most common type of pancreatic cancer is ductal adenocarcinomas (about 95% of all cases). Other less common types of pancreatic cancer include cystic tumours, acinar cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumours and lymphoma. 

Pancreatic cancer has the tendency to spread quickly, and is often undetected in its early stages. This is because the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may not become visible until after the cancer has become quite advanced. However there are treatment options available, such as surgery, which may be effective in treating your cancer dependent on the type and the stage of your cancer. 

The most common surgery for pancreatic cancer is known as a whipple procedure. Ideally, this type of surgery aims to cure cancer by removing the tumour. However as pancreatic cancer is rarely detected in its early stage, the procedure does not often cure cancer. Instead the aim is to treat a reduce symptoms, and a successful whipple procedure can extend the life of the patient.

If you or anyone close to you is suffering from symptoms of pancreatic cancer, our dedicated team of medical professionals working with the <GI and Surgery Service Line> at the Aga Khan University Hospital will do their best to treat them and to help you cope.

When to seek expert advise

It is important to remember that symptoms can be caused due to a number of reasons, and in most cases are not indicative of pancreatic cancer. However, it you have any of the above symptoms and are worried, you should go seek medical attention. Doctors at the <GI and Surgery Service Line> at the Aga Khan University Hospital may carry out a number of diagnostic tests and procedures to investigate your symptoms. If he or she feels like you may have pancreatic cancer, they may recommend you to another specialist for further assessment, such as an oncologist or a gastroenterologist.

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