Cancer

Cancer refers to the abnormal growth of abnormal cells. Effective treatment is available for all cancers. Cancers are potentially curable at early stages.

World health awareness days

World Health Organizations (WHO) and The United Nations urge everyone including individuals, organization and communities worldwide to take active part and educate others with real scientific data related to health issues. Every individual should take part in this observance to help in promoting healthier lifestyle.

DISEASE

Esophagus

Commonly called as food pipe, it is located in the neck, chest and abdomen. It is responsible for transporting food from throat to the stomach

  • Initially considered as a mere conduit, recent understanding of the physiology of esophagus has resulted in better understanding of the numerous diseases affecting the esophagus.
  • Symptoms of esophageal diseases include difficulty in swallowing food (dysphagia), pain while swallowing food (odynophagia), regurgitation, blood in vomiting (hematemesis), heart burn and respiratory problems.
  • Common diseases affecting esophagus include reflux esophagitis, esophageal candidiasis, esophageal motility disorders (achalasia cardia, nutcracker esophagus and diffuse esophageal spasm), diverticulum and esophageal varices.

Stomach

Organ located in the upper abdomen responsible for temporary storage and digestion of food. It has the capacity to expand and store large quantities of food. It also performs important immunological functions.

  • Receptive relaxation and accommodative reflex (the ability to expand significantly to receive and store food) is unique to stomach.
  • Symptoms of gastric diseases include upper abdominal pain, early satiety, dysphagia, blood in vomiting (hematemesis), heart burn, abdominal distention, blood in stools, loss of weight and appetite
  • Common diseases affecting stomach include acid peptic disease, gastric ulcer, gastric varices and gastric neoplasms.

Small Intestine

Tubular organ located within the abdomen responsible numerous digestive and absorptive processes of food. It is called “small” intestine because of its smaller diameter when compared to the large intestine. The length of small intestine is many fold longer than large intestine. It comprises of duodenum, jejunum and ileum.

  • Predominant site for digestion and absorption of carbohydrate, fat and protein occur in the small intestine.
  • Symptoms include into abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distention, vomiting, blood in stools, malnourishment, loss of weight and appetite.
  • Common diseases include infection, ulcers, stricture, polyps and inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease). They can also be content of hernia.

Large Intestine

Part of the intestine that is responsible for absorption of fluid and electrolytes. It comprises of caecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.

  • Predominant site of absorption of electrolytes and large quantities of water.
  • Symptoms include into abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distention, vomiting, blood in stools, malnourishment, tenesmus, urgency, constipation, loss of weight and appetite.
  • Common diseases include infection, ulcers, stricture, polyps and inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease). They can also be content of hernia.

Rectum and anal colon

Final pathway for digestive processes. They primarily act as conduits for passage of stools.

  • Symptoms include into diarrhea, abdominal distention, vomiting, blood in stools, tenesmus, urgency, constipation, loss of weight and appetite.
  • Common diseases affecting rectum include infection, ulcers, stricture, polyps and inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease). Common anal diseases include fissure, fistula in ano and hemorrohoids
  • Malignancy affecting rectum usually is adenocarcinoma. Anal canal malignancy can also be squamous cell carcinoma

Pancreas

It is a leaf like organ located in the upper abdomen.

  • It has two major functions. Secretion of enzymes (digestive – exocrine) and hormones (endocrine – predominately regulating blood sugar levels)
  • Common diseases include pancreatitis (acute or chronic), pancreatic cysts
  • Neoplasms affecting pancreas include adenocarcinoma, cystic neoplasms, acinar cell carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor
  • Investigations include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasound.

Liver

It is largest solid organ in the body located in the right side of upper abdomen. It is the place where numerous metabolic activities take place.

  • Symptoms of liver disease include jaundice, abdominal distention, leg swelling, blood in stools or vomiting, altered sensorium, itching, generalized fatiguability and loss of weight.
  • Common diseases include hepatitis (viral, drug induced, autoimmune etc.), cirrhosis, cystic lesions and hemangioma.
  • Malignancy affecting the liver can be hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma or secondaries from other sites.

Evaluating GI Diseases

Evaluating GI Diseases Through MRI Scan

  • Type of imaging performed by manipulating magnetic rays.
  • Takes around 15-30 minutes for the majority of the abdominal scans.
  • Useful in assessing the biliary tree or pancreas (MRCP) and in pelvic pathologies (Carcinoma rectum and perianal sepsis)
  • Needs a good radiologist to choose the appropriate type of MRI (phase of MRI) and interpret them
  • Difficult for patients with claustrophobia
    Should be avoided in patients with pacemaker and metal implants (doctor to be consulted before performing the same)

Evaluating GI Diseases Through CT Scan

  • It is a type of imaging of the abdomen using ionizing rays.
  • Takes a very short time to perform the scan(typically less than 3 minutes)
  • Gives excellent information for most of the gastroenterological problems
  • Various types present depending on whether and what type of contrast (oral or IV) given
  • Useful in diagnosing and following up
  • Needs a proper doctor’s prescription to perform the appropriate type of CT scan
  • To be avoided in pregnancy

Evaluating GI Diseases Through USG Scan

  • Probably The First Line Imaging Performed In Gi Diseases.
  • Can Be Performed During Pregnancy
  • Not-So-Good Intestinal Pathologies
  • Safest And Easily Accessible Imaging Available
  • Excellent For Gall Stone Disease
  • Operator Dependent Hence Good Radiologist Is Required

Evaluating GI Diseases Through Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

  • It is a type of endoscopy to see the esophagus (food pipe), stomach and part of the small intestine (duodenum).
  • Useful in assessing the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract
  • In case of suspected lesions, a biopsy can be taken for further evaluation
  • Common issues include upper abdominal pain, Gl bleeding, unexplained anaemia, dyspepsia, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing
  • Generally performed as an outpatient procedure
  • Diagnostic endoscopy takes approximately three minutes for performing a thorough evaluation
  • Therapeutic endoscopies are performed to treat conditions (polypectomy, variceal ligation etc.)
  • Patient should not take liquids and solids at least three hours and five hours prior to procedure

prevention

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Fruits and Vegetables

Stop Smoking