Key Gastrointestinal Symptoms & Early Warning Signs of GI Cancers

As a doctor who treats gastrointestinal cancers, it's heartbreaking to see patients whose cancer has spread. Once the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it becomes difficult to cure. Often, this happens because the cancer wasn't found early enough. Though many of these patients had some gastrointestinal symptoms, they were primarily nonspecific and vague.

We might save more lives if we could catch these gastrointestinal cancers sooner. But why do these cancers often go undetected until it's too late? Are there warning signs we can look out for? Let's find out.

The Digestive System and Cancers

The digestive system comprises many organs that help us break down and absorb food. These organs include the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon and rectum), gallbladder, bile duct, pancreas, and liver.

Unfortunately, any of these organs can develop cancer, and these include:

• Cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus)
• Stomach cancer
• Cancer of the large intestine (colon and rectum)
• Gallbladder cancer
• Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumours
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumours

When doctors examine the cancer cells under a microscope, they can see different types of cancer. These types include:

• Adenocarcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Neuroendocrine tumour
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)

Each type of cancer is unique and requires different treatment approaches. Understanding the different types of gastrointestinal cancers can help doctors and patients make informed 

decisions about treatment and care.

Read more - Gastric Problems: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Safety: Boon or Bane

Our gastrointestinal organs, like the stomach and intestines, are safely tucked away inside our abdomen, protected by strong layers of muscle and tissue. Similarly, the oesophagus is shielded by the rib cage in our chest. This protective barrier is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps our organs safe from harm. On the other hand, detecting diseases and cancers early on makes it challenging.

Heads Up

That's why paying attention to our body's warning signs is crucial. Symptoms are like alarm bells, alerting us that something is amiss. If we listen carefully, we can catch gastrointestinal diseases, including cancer, in their early stages. So, what are these warning signs?

Warning signs of gastrointestinal cancer

• Difficulty swallowing​
• Abdominal pain​
• Recurrent vomiting​
• Unexplained weight loss​
• Loss of appetite​
• Blood in vomitus​
• Blood in stool​
• Altered bowel habits​
• Narrow stools​
• Weakness or fatigue​
• Persistent abdominal discomfort​
• The feeling of incomplete evacuation​
• Worsening indigestion or heartburn​
• Jaundice
• Clay-coloured stools​
• Itching
• Recent onset diabetes​
• A lump in the abdomen​
• Low red blood cell count (anaemia) ​
• Change in voice​

GI-HPB Cancers

Gastrointestinal cancers are the most common type of cancer worldwide. Each type of cancer has its own set of signs and symptoms, but some symptoms are common to many of them. Weight loss and loss of appetite are symptoms that can occur in all types of gastrointestinal cancers. However, these symptoms often don't appear until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

In the early stages, symptoms might be mild or nonexistent, making it easy to ignore them. Additionally, many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced in common digestive issues like acidity, constipation, or diarrhoea, which we all experience occasionally. As a result, we often assume that our symptoms are due to a minor issue rather than a serious one, like cancer. This leads to a delay in diagnosis, and most of the time, gastrointestinal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. This makes treatment more challenging and reduces the chances of survival.

Are You at Risk?

Risk factors increase the chance of getting a disease. They don't guarantee the disease, but they raise the likelihood. More risk factors mean a higher chance of getting the disease. GI cancers have several risk factors. Some people get GI cancer without any known risk factors. Others don't get the disease despite having risk factors. Risk factors are just one part of the equation. Genetics, environment, and lifestyle also play a role. Understanding risk factors can help you take steps to reduce your chance of getting GI cancer.

Common risk factors for these cancers include

• Increasing age
• Family history of gastrointestinal cancer
• Smoking and alcoholism
• A diet rich in processed food and deficient in fruits and vegetables
• Lack of physical activity and exercise
• Obesity

What to Do?

Mild abdominal discomfort or gastric trouble is usually not a cause for concern. Ignore it if it happens occasionally. But if symptoms occur regularly, worsen, and don't go away, seek medical help. Pay attention to persistent symptoms. They will examine you and order tests to find the cause. Hopefully, it's a minor issue. But sometimes, cancer may be lurking. By recognising these symptoms and seeking medical attention promptly, we can catch diseases and cancers early when they're more treatable. Early detection is key, and early diagnosis can save lives.

So, stay vigilant and listen to your body's whispers before they become screams! Don't delay seeking medical help. It's always better to be safe than sorry.