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Neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract are cancers of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and bile ducts. The most common are cancers of the colon and stomach. Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers vary, some are easily overlooked, and the later a diagnosis is made, the less chance of a cure is reduced. Check what symptoms may suggest gastrointestinal cancer.

Early symptoms of gastrointestinal neoplasms-esophageal, stomach, intestine, pancreatic or bile duct cancereasy to overlook or attribute to trivial ailments, which it may end badly. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to any unusual signals from the gastrointestinal tract and if in doubt, do not delay the visit to the doctor. Check what should worry you.

Esophageal cancer: early symptoms

Unfortunately, in most cases, esophageal cancer does not show early symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage that is more difficult to treat. The diagnosis of this form of cancer is usually rare and accidental. The most common symptoms of esophageal cancer are difficulty swallowing with a feeling that food is trapped in the throat or chest. In medicine, this phenomenon is referred to as dysphagia. Other symptoms of esophageal cancer are often:

Experts emphasize that digestive tract cancers often do not cause more serious ailments, because they usually have a latent course. Patients report to a doctor late when the disease is strongly developed.

  • chest pain (burning or tightness)
  • weight loss
  • hoarseness
  • chronic cough
  • hiccup
  • pneumonia
  • bone pain
  • esophageal bleeding

This blood passes through the digestive tract, which can cause black stools to appear. Over time, blood loss can lead to anemia, which can make you feel tired.

Stomach cancer: early symptoms

Early symptoms of stomach cancer are:

  • indigestion and chronic abdominal pain in the upper abdomen, increasing after a meal and decreasing on an empty stomach, not relieved by antacids
  • feeling of fullness in the epigastrium,especially after eating
  • lack of appetite
  • mild nausea

More advanced stomach cancer can cause:

  • unexplained weight loss
  • stomach pains
  • vomiting
  • tarry (black) stools
  • difficulty swallowing
  • jaundice
  • abdominal swelling
  • liver enlargement
  • possibly a palpable lump in the upper abdomen

Pancreatic cancer: early symptoms

Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

  • diabetes emerging suddenly, e.g. no family history
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • itchy skin, hands and soles of feet
  • sudden decrease in appetite
  • a tendency to feel full after eating a small amount of food
  • abdominal pain (often disappears when you lean forward)
  • gallbladder enlargement
  • dark, often very smelly and cloudy stools (this is the result of not digesting fatty foods)
  • sudden unexplained weight loss
Worth knowing

Every fourth, and in some countries even every third cancer is gastrointestinal cancer - warned specialists during the 19th world congress on this type of cancer, which takes place in Barcelona. "Colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancer are among cancer, the second, fourth and seventh cause of death in the world, respectively "- said the vice-president of the congress prof. Josep Tabernero from the University Hospital of Barcelona. The most worrying is the increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. In Poland, the growth rate of colorectal cancer incidence is the highest in Europe. In the years 1980-2010, the disease in our country increased fourfold in men and threefold in women. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

Liver cancer: early symptoms

Liver cancer in its early stages often does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, it can cause symptoms such as:

  • pain in the upper abdomen on the right
  • hard lump on the right under the ribs
  • feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen
  • fever
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • pale stools
  • dark urine
  • nausea and vomiting
  • weakness or feeling very tired
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • feeling of fullness
  • abdominal swelling (flatulence)

Colon cancer: early symptoms

One of the most obvious symptoms that can signal bowel cancerfat there is blood appearing in or on the stool. Other symptoms include:

  • change in bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, passing a narrow stool),
  • abdominal cramps or pains
  • gases
  • weight loss
  • feeling that there is a constant stool in the intestine
  • iron deficiency anemia

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Category:

Oncology