Gastrointestinal oncology

A loyalty program applies to surgical interventions in the inpatient department, making treatment even more affordable.

Gastrointestinal oncology is a field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors of the digestive system organs. These include neoplasms of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and bile ducts. Gastrointestinal cancer requires different approaches to treatment depending on the location of the tumor, its extent, and the patient's general condition. Treatment may include surgical intervention, medical antitumor therapy, radiation, or a combination of several methods.

At the Oxford Medical medical center in Kyiv, patients can undergo the necessary examinations and receive assistance from oncologists and oncological surgeons with many years of work experience. For performing complex operations, the clinic has two modern operating units, an intensive care department, and a surgical inpatient department.

To schedule a consultation with a specialist at Oxford Medical, call the contact center or use the online appointment form on the website.

In cases of malignant neoplasms, the choice of treatment is not limited to the decision of one specialist. An oncological surgeon assesses the possibility of removing the tumor, while an oncologist-gastroenterologist or oncoproctologist determines the need for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other methods of antitumor treatment. Together, the specialists develop a treatment plan taking into account the stage of the disease and the patient's general condition.

Certain manifestations may indicate which organ requires examination as a priority. For example, difficulty swallowing is characteristic of esophageal diseases, jaundice may occur when the bile ducts are blocked, and blood in the stool may occur with intestinal pathologies.

Doctors at Oxford Medical recommend undergoing an examination if symptoms persist, recur, or worsen. Unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, and persistent swallowing difficulties require particular attention. In cases of vomiting blood, significant intestinal bleeding, loss of consciousness, or a sudden deterioration in well-being, it is necessary to call emergency medical services immediately.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer includes laboratory, endoscopic, and instrumental examinations. Their purpose is to detect a neoplasm, determine its nature and extent, and establish the stage of the disease. The scope of examinations depends on the symptoms, tumor location, and results of previous examinations.

Main diagnostic methods:

• Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. These methods allow assessment of the tumor size, the condition of neighboring organs and lymph nodes, and the presence of possible metastases.

• Gastroscopy. Allows examination of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, detection of suspicious changes, and collection of tissue samples for analysis. When appropriate indications are present, the examination is also used for gastric cancer screening in patients at increased risk of cancer.

• Colonoscopy. Used to examine the colon and rectum. During the procedure, the doctor may perform a biopsy or remove individual polyps.

• Endoscopic ultrasound. Helps examine the walls of the digestive tract, adjacent tissues, and certain pancreatic neoplasms in greater detail. When indicated, a biopsy is performed under ultrasound guidance.

• Biopsy with histological examination. Helps establish whether a neoplasm is malignant and determine its type and characteristics that are important for choosing treatment.

• Laboratory tests. Used to assess the general condition of the body, detect anemia, liver dysfunction, and other changes. Tumor markers may supplement the examination but do not independently confirm the diagnosis.

Doctors at Oxford Medical emphasize that detecting a tumor on CT, ultrasound, or during endoscopy does not yet mean that an oncological diagnosis has been confirmed. In most cases, the final conclusion is made based on the results of histological examination of tissues.

Treatment of malignant tumors of the digestive system may include surgical intervention, medical antitumor therapy, and radiation therapy. The choice of method depends on the type and stage of the disease, the extent of the tumor, and the patient's general condition. Several methods are often used in a certain sequence to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Main treatment methods:

• Surgical treatment. Involves the removal of the neoplasm with the necessary amount of adjacent tissues and, when indicated, regional lymph nodes. Depending on the characteristics of the tumor, operations are performed using an endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open approach.

• Medical antitumor therapy. Chemotherapy is used to destroy malignant cells or inhibit their multiplication. When appropriate indications are present, targeted drugs and other modern agents are also prescribed.

• Radiation therapy. Involves irradiating the tumor to destroy malignant cells. It is used for certain types of cancer on its own, in combination with medical treatment, or to relieve symptoms.

• Combined treatment. Combines several methods that are used simultaneously or sequentially. Antitumor therapy may be administered before surgery to increase the likelihood of complete removal of the neoplasm, or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.

A special place in modern treatment is occupied by immunotherapy, which helps the immune system recognize and destroy tumor cells. It is not prescribed for all oncological diseases. In particular, one of the indicators that may influence the choice of such treatment is high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or deficiency of the DNA mismatch repair system (dMMR). These characteristics are determined during the examination of tumor tissue.

The type of operation is determined by a gastrointestinal oncological surgeon depending on which organ is affected and how far the tumor has spread. For example, in cases of malignant neoplasms of the stomach, gastrectomy — complete removal of the stomach — may be indicated. If colon cancer is detected, one of the surgical treatment options is hemicolectomy — removal of part of the colon together with the corresponding lymph nodes. The extent of the intervention is determined individually.

Doctors at Oxford Medical emphasize that the need for surgery and the sequence of other types of treatment are determined individually. If radical removal of the tumor is impossible, medical therapy and radiation may be used to slow the progression of the disease, reduce symptoms, and maintain quality of life.

The cost of treating malignant tumors of the digestive system depends on the diagnosis, stage of the disease, and selected methods of therapy. For some patients, surgical removal of the neoplasm is sufficient, while others require a combination of surgery with medical or radiation treatment.

The factors influencing the price include:

• the scope of diagnostic examinations and the need for additional consultations;

• the type and complexity of the surgical intervention;

• the prescription of antitumor drugs and the duration of the treatment course;

• the need for postoperative care and the length of hospital stay.

You can familiarize yourself with the current prices for medical services here. After reviewing the examination results, the doctor will determine the necessary scope of treatment and provide guidance regarding its cost.

To consult an oncologist or oncological surgeon in Kyiv, call the Oxford Medical contact center or use the online appointment form on the website.

The information is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

Sources:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

• US National Library of Medicine (PubMed)

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)