Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer refers to a group of cancers that affect the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and rectum. These cancers can develop silently, often showing symptoms only in advanced stages. Early detection, accurate staging, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach are key to improving survival outcomes.
With extensive experience in managing complex GI cancer cases, Dr. Prateek Varshney, a leading surgical oncologist, brings both surgical precision and compassionate care to every case. His expertise covers the full spectrum of gastrointestinal malignancies, focusing on personalized, evidence-based treatment strategies, including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries where appropriate.

Symptoms of GI Cancer

• • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss (without trying)
  • Abdominal (belly) pain, discomfort
  • A sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting, with or without blood
  • Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen
  • Low red blood cell count (anaemia)

Risk Factor of GI Cancer

• • A diet high in salty and smoked foods
  • A diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • Smoking
  • Eating foods contaminated with aflatoxin fungus
  • Family history of stomach cancer
  • Infection with Helicobacter pylori (a type of bacteria)
  • Long-term stomach inflammation
  • Pernicious anaemia
  • Stomach polyps

Stages of GI Cancer

• • Stage I: Cancer has grown into the inner layer of the wall of the stomach
  • Stage II: Cancer has grown into the outer muscular layers of the wall of the stomach
  • Stage III: Cancer has grown through all of the layers of the muscle into the connective tissue outside the stomach and has grown into nearby organs or structures
  • Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized to distant organs, most commonly the liver, peritoneum (inside the abdomen), and less frequently, the lungs or bones.