Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a term used for cancers that develop in the digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, colon, and rectum. These cancers often grow silently, and early symptoms may resemble common digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, or changes in bowel habits, which makes timely diagnosis challenging. As the disease progresses, patients may experience persistent abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or blood in stool. Because the digestive system is vital for overall health and nutrition, GI cancers can have a significant impact on a patient’s well-being if not detected and treated early.

Diagnosis typically involves advanced tests such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, ultrasound, and biopsies to confirm the type and stage of cancer. Blood tests and tumor markers may also be used to guide treatment. Once diagnosed, treatment is personalized according to the type of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s overall health. Surgery is one of the most common approaches to remove tumors, often combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to ensure cancer cells are destroyed. In advanced cases, newer options like targeted therapy and immunotherapy are increasingly used, offering more precise and effective treatment with fewer side effects.