Gastrointestinal Cancers

Colon & Rectum

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gastrointestinal cancer refers to malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and organs along the tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines and anus and rectum.

In most cases, cancers are caused when cells along the GI tract walls mutate and start to multiply uncontrollably into a tumour before turning cancerous over time.

There can be multiple types of gastrointestinal cancers, each with its own conditions and symptoms.

Read on to find out more about the different types of gastrointestinal cancers.

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, usually happens when the cells of the stomach lining start to mutate. When ordinarily healthy cells within the upper digestive tract system become cancerous, they can multiply and grow uncontrollably, leading to tumour formation.

This process may take place slowly and result in the development of stomach cancer over many years.

Treatment Options

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer, rectal cancer, or colon cancer) is caused by a mutation in the DNA and cells of your colon and rectum.

When ordinarily healthy cells within the colon mutate and grow uncontrollably, they lead to the formation of polyps. A polyp usually begins as a small growth. This may increase in size to be a pre-cancerous growth and then a cancerous growth.

This process may take place slowly and result in the development of colorectal cancer over many years.

Treatment Options

Costing

Oesophageal Cancer

Oesophageal cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the oesophagus develop uncontrollably. Cancers can occur in any part of your oesophagus as they grow along the inner lining of the oesophagus.

Oesophageal cancer is more common in the elderly, where around 8 in 10 cases happen in people aged 60 and above. Most are above 60 when they are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Treatment Options