There are many types of cancer that can affect the organs of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As a group, these cancers are called gastrointestinal cancer.
Click here to download our GI cancer information sheet.
Types of GI cancer include:
- Colon cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
- Rectal cancer
Signs and Symptoms
You may experience various symptoms of GI cancer, since your GI tract includes so many different organs in your body.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Pain or discomfort in your abdominal area
- Changes in your bowel habits (including shape, consistency and how often you go)
- Blood in your stool, or rectal bleeding
- Diminished appetite
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
Screening and Diagnosis
Colon cancer screening examines your large intestine and rectum for cancer and precancerous signs. We recommend that most adults start getting screened for colon cancer when they turn 50. If you are at higher risk of getting colon cancer, your doctor may recommend you start getting screened even earlier.
Other types of GI cancer can be diagnosed through a variety of tests, including:
- Imaging and laboratory tests
- Biopsies (collecting a tissue sample)
- Endoscopy (using a scope to see inside your body)
Treatment Options
There are typically three ways to treat cancer 
:
- Surgery—A surgeon will attempt to remove the tumor and margin of normal tissue around the tumor. Some of the lymph nodes near the tumor may also be removed as part of the operation.
- Radiation—Radiation may be used before or after surgery as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Radiation is used to sterilize cancer cells within the treatment field. At Cancer Care of Western New York, we are committed to providing the latest in radiation treatment technology. We believe that having state-of-the-art equipment makes a real difference in the quality of care we provide to all of our patients. These external beam radiation treatments are fast, safe, and do not make you radioactive—it is fine for family members and friends to be around you.
- Chemotherapy—Chemotherapy may be used throughout the treatment course. For most GI cancers chemotherapy is delivered along with radiation.
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