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Cancer Diagnostics
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a potential cause for experiencing changes in your digestive or bowel patterns. At the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, with three locations in Houston and another in Katy, Texas, cancer treatment specialists can diagnose and treat GI cancer to prevent it from spreading and help you recover. Call the nearest office to schedule an appointment or book online today.
GI cancers, which include cancers of your digestive tract, can spread to other parts of your body when left untreated. Examples of GI cancers include cancers of the:
GI cancers often start small and increase in size over time or spread to other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment is the best way to help you make a full recovery.
The signs and symptoms you can experience with GI cancers depend on the type of cancer you have and its stage. You might notice:
At the first sign of new or unusual digestive or bowel changes, see the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team for an evaluation.
GI cancers can happen to anybody, but some factors increase your risk of getting these common types of cancers. Examples include:
Routine GI cancer screening can help your specialist detect gastrointestinal cancers before they become serious. To reduce your risk of GI cancer, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
To find out if you have GI cancer and its type and severity, your specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical examination and may recommend you undergo endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsies, CT scans, ultrasound, angiography, MRIs, or other imaging procedures to make a final diagnosis.
Your GI cancer treatment plan depends on the type of cancer you have and its stage. Your cancer specialist may recommend:
Your provider can complete surgery to remove cancerous tissues within your GI tract. They may remove parts of your stomach or intestines, or other GI organs as needed.
Immunotherapy uses drug treatments to enhance your body’s immune system and ability to fight cancer.
Chemotherapy uses medications to shrink or kill cancer cells within your GI tract. Your doctor can administer chemotherapy via IV while you relax on a comfortable reclining chair.
Radiation therapy uses targeted X-rays or protons to destroy cancer cells, prevent cancer from spreading, and help you recover as quickly as possible.
To determine the best treatment for your cancer, the team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, stages your cancer using state-of-the-art Cat Scan or PET/CT imaging.
The scans show how large the tumor is, how deeply it extends , and whether it's spread to other areas. This will help our team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA identify what stage of cancer you have and tailor your treatment plan to that stage for optimal outcomes and recovery.
At the first sign of GI cancers, or if you have cancer risk factors, call the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, office nearest you or book an appointment online today.
