Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers

What are Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers?

GI cancer is a term used for the group of cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract and other organs within the digestive system. The most common sites of GI cancer start in the colon (large intestine), rectum, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, and liver. Other common locations include the gallbladder, biliary system, and small intestine.

Recently Diagnosed with a Type of GI Cancer?

Less Common Types of GI Cancers

Gallbladder & Biliary Tract Cancer

Gallbladder cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located next to the liver. Its role is to store bile, a fluid that aids with digestion and fat absorption in the small intestine. Biliary tract cancer (also known as cholangiocarcinoma) is cancer that occurs in the bile ducts (tubes that transport bile from the liver). Biliary tract cancer can form anywhere along the bile ducts.

Small Intestine Cancer

Cancer of the small intestine also called small bowel cancer, occurs in the small intestine—a long tube that carries digested food between the stomach and the large intestine (colon). Because the small intestine is made up of many different types of cells, different types of cancer can start there. There are four major types of small intestine cancers, which include adenocarcinomas, carcinoid tumors, lymphomas, and sarcomas. Small intestine cancer often begins with non-cancerous polyps, which over time, can change into cancer.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)

GISTs start in special cells, called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), located in the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the digestive tract. ICC cells are part of the autonomic nervous system--the part of the nervous system that regulates body processes such as digesting food. The most common sites for GISTs are the stomach and small intestine.

Anal Cancer

Anal cancer starts in the anal canal--a short tube at the end of your rectum through which stool leaves your body. The inner lining of the anal canal is the mucosa. Most anal cancers start from cells in the mucosa. Anal cancers that start from cells in the glands located under the mucosa are called adenocarcinomas. Many types of tumors can develop in the anus, including non-cancerous ones.