Gastrointestinal cancer

Bile ducts are part of the digestive system and are the tubes that link the liver and gallbladder to the small bowel.³ They transport bile, which helps break down the fat in our food.⁴

Bile duct cancer (also called cholangiocarcinoma) develops in part of the bile duct lining,  it  is a relatively uncommon form of cancer of primary liver cancer.^5,6

Bowel cancer starts in the inner lining of the bowel wall.⁷ It most commonly starts from a polyp growing in the colon or rectum but sometimes arises independently.⁷ The bowel includes the small and large intestines.⁸ The large intestine absorbs things like electrolytes, water and vitamins and forms faeces which it pushes waste towards the rectum.⁹

Gallbladder cancer is cancer of the biliary tract, part of the digestive system, it is one of the rarer types of cancer.

• The gallbladder stores bile made in the liver before it’s passed into the small bowel. The bile helps food digestion.¹⁰ It passes through a tube called the common bile duct which connects the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine.¹⁰
• Gallbladder cancer happens when tissues in the lining of the gallbladder become abnormal and multiply.¹¹ The most common type is adenocarcinoma – starting in glandular cells in the gallbladder lining.¹²

The liver is important organ of the human body and comprises around 2% of body weight in the average adult.¹³ It is involved with several critical functions including metabolism, immunity, detoxification, digestion and even vitamin storage.¹³

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) - also be known as carcinoid tumours - are a complex group of tumours that develop predominantly in the digestive or respiratory tracts, and can occur in other areas of the body.^21,22 They are cancer cells that form in the neuroendocrine system, and can be both slow growing or more aggressive (fast).^21,22 The most common sites in the body where NETs form are the lungs and digestive system.^21,22 Treatment for NETs depends on the size, location of the tumour, and how well or poorly differentiated the tumour is as well as whether the cancer has presented at an advanced stage or has spread.^21,22

Oesophageal cancer forms in the inner lining of the oesophageal wall.¹¹ The oesophagus or food pipe is the tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach.¹⁴

Pancreatic cancer usually develops in the head or body of the pancreas.¹⁵ Depending on what stage pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at, treatment options may one or more of the following: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and endoscopic surgery.¹⁶

Stomach cancer starts when abnormal cells develop in the stomach and form tumours.¹⁷ These tumours can vary in size and presentation.¹⁸