Malignant Neoplasms of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Retroperitoneal Space

Cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can have various origins. However, the disease most commonly arises due to the following conditions and circumstances:

• genetic predisposition to malignant neoplasms;
• harmful habits (excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking);
• dietary patterns (predominance of animal-derived foods, refined, canned, or otherwise processed products, deficiency of dietary fiber, etc.);
• chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, cholecystitis, and other diseases of the digestive system;
• obesity.

All these factors can lead to primary GI cancer. However, malignant processes may also spread to the digestive organs from other sites. For example, lung cancer, breast cancer, and others may metastasize to the esophagus and stomach. In such cases, this is considered a secondary oncological condition.

Symptoms and Signs of GI Cancer

Modern treatment methods for stomach cancer make it possible to achieve sustained remission or even complete recovery. However, it is crucial to pay attention to symptoms and signs of potential problems and consult a doctor immediately. Possible indicators of oncology include:

• discomfort in the epigastric region, right or left hypochondrium;
• frequent signs of dyspepsia not related to overeating or consumption of spicy or fatty foods;
• symptoms of dysphagia — difficulty swallowing solid food;
• unexplained episodes of nausea and vomiting occurring shortly after eating;
• weight loss despite maintaining the usual diet and physical activity;
• blood traces in the stool;
• bowel habit changes (diarrhea, steatorrhea, thread-like or ribbon-shaped stool);
• qualitative changes in stool (discolored, black, foamy, foul-smelling, etc.);
• signs of internal bleeding (pale skin and mucous membranes, drowsiness, rapid fatigue, decreased blood pressure, dizziness).

Symptoms of stomach cancer in women may go unnoticed against the background of dysmenorrhea, perimenopause, or menopause. This requires special attention from both the patient and her physician. Otherwise, GI cancer symptoms in men and women are similar. However, men are more susceptible to this disease because they more frequently fall into the risk group due to smoking and alcohol consumption.

Additionally, GI cancer symptoms in women may long mimic gynecological issues — this is also important to consider.

Diagnostic methods for cancer of the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas may vary depending on the patient’s medical history, symptoms, complaints, and family oncology history.

Diagnosis of GI Cancer

GI cancer is relatively easy to detect because the symptoms of stomach cancer in both men and women are quite characteristic and can raise suspicion of the disease. Depending on the patient’s complaints, diagnosis of stomach or other GI organ cancer may be based on laboratory or instrumental studies. However, a diagnosis is never made based on a single test or imaging method. A comprehensive examination is required to determine the presence of a tumor, its location, size, structure, presence or absence of metastases, and other criteria.

Therefore, diagnosis of stomach and other GI cancers may include several of the following procedures:

• Complete blood count. This test is often the first step in diagnosing stomach cancer in men and women. Its results can reveal signs indicating a possible malignant process.
• Biochemical blood test. This study is part of GI cancer diagnostics and provides information about intoxication caused by tumor breakdown, enzyme levels that rise in oncology, etc.
• Tumor marker tests (CEA, CA 199, CA 242, and others). These results are used as supportive or clarifying data.
• Instrumental diagnostic methods for stomach and other GI cancers include ultrasound, upper endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, CT, MRI, contrast radiography, etc.
  Endoscopic diagnostic methods (EGD, colonoscopy) allow sampling of tissue from pathologically altered areas of the stomach or intestines. The biopsy specimen is then sent to the laboratory for histological and cytological examination.

When women present with symptoms of stomach cancer, it is important to rule out breast tumors, as they often cause secondary cancer in the upper digestive tract. In men, stomach cancer symptoms require consultation with a urologistandrologist, as secondary intestinal cancer may originate from a prostate tumor.

Once the attending physician has collected all relevant data, they develop a personalized treatment plan for the patient. Stomach cancer treatment may involve various methods and approaches.

Treatment of GI Cancer

Treatment of stomach cancer aims to reduce tumor size, slow the malignant process, maintain the patient’s overall health, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life.

These combined effects are achieved using the following methods:

• Surgical treatment. Complete removal of the stomach is required only in extreme cases — when the organ is entirely affected by the disease, has lost its function, and becomes a source of pain and intoxication. Gastrectomy also involves removing adjacent tissues that may be involved in the malignant process.
  In addition to gastrectomy, organpreserving techniques such as resection may be used. In this case, only a part of the organ is removed, and the continuity of the digestive system is restored. Regardless of the type of surgery, additional treatment for stomach cancer is always prescribed.
• Chemotherapy. This method helps reduce the activity of cancer cells and induce their death. Depending on the type of GI cancer, its location, progression speed, and presence of metastases, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery. This approach can slow cancer cell growth and improve prognosis.
  Chemotherapy for stomach and other GI cancers can be given via injections or tablets.
• Radiotherapy. This treatment aims to suppress cancer cell activity and cause their death. Unlike chemotherapy, radiotherapy uses Xray radiation. In some cases, treatment may start with radiotherapy and be followed by surgery to remove the stomach or part of it.
• Supportive treatments. To relieve symptoms, patients may receive additional medications, including painkillers, antiemetics, agents to normalize blood composition, etc.

GI cancer has a relatively favorable prognosis if treatment for stomach, intestinal, liver, or other GI cancers is started promptly and follows modern standards. Whether complete removal of the stomach is necessary or only the malignant focus needs to be excised, modern oncology offers a wide range of methods and tools to extend the patient’s life as much as possible and maintain a high quality of life. Therefore, it is important to remember: gastrectomy for cancer is not a death sentence, just as a GI cancer diagnosis itself is no longer considered one.