Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a group of cancers that affect the organs of the digestive system. These cancers can develop in the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus. Because each type of gastrointestinal cancer arises in a different organ and behaves differently, treatment approaches are tailored to the specific diagnosis and individual patient.

Some of the most common gastrointestinal cancers include colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and esophageal cancer. Risk factors, symptoms, screening recommendations, and treatment options vary by cancer type, making early detection and specialized care especially important.

Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas, an organ that helps digest food and regulates blood sugar. Liver cancer develops in the liver, which performs many vital functions including filtering blood, producing bile, and helping process nutrients. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although cancers can also arise in the bile ducts, known as cholangiocarcinoma.

At Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary team provides expert care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers through advanced diagnostic testing, specialized surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, nutrition support, and access to innovative clinical trials. Treatment plans are personalized to each patient's cancer type, stage, and goals of care.

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