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Cancers We Treat

Cancers We Treat

Abdominal Cancer

Learn about what Baptist Cancer Center offers you in terms of leading-edge abdominal cancer treatments.

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Abdominal Cancer Explained

Abdominal cancer refers to a variety of cancers affecting digestive system organs, including the stomach, liver, large intestine, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, esophagus, and rectum. It occurs when damaged or old cells divide and multiply quickly, resulting in a malignant mass tumor.

According to The Ohio State University, more than 250,000 cases of gastrointestinal cancer, or abdominal cancer, are diagnosed annually in the United States, which accounts for approximately 20 percent of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S.

Abdominal Cancer Treatment Options

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a common diagnostic procedure that screens for abdominal cancers. A less invasive diagnostic procedure, the double-contrast barium swallow, might also be used to diagnose gastrointestinal cancers. Your family history, symptoms, and other criteria will also contribute to your doctor's diagnosis.

Baptist Cancer Center's doctors and specialists will devise a treatment plan that considers many factors, including your lifestyle, as well as the type and stage of your gastrointestinal cancer. Abdominal cancer treatment may include a combination of the following:

The Different Types of Abdominal Cancer

There are several abdominal cancer types, including:



Colorectal Cancer

Most colorectal cancers begin as a growth—called a polyp—on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. There are two types of polyps:

  • Adenomatous polyps (adenomas): Because these polyps sometimes develop into cancer, adenomas are called a pre-cancerous condition.
  • Hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps: These polyps are more common, but are generally not pre-cancerous.

Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer begins in the liver, while secondary liver cancer begins in other parts of the body and spreads, or metastasizes, to the liver. Many common types of cancer, including colon, rectum, lung and breast cancers, spread to the liver.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is cancer of the pancreas, a gland that secretes enzymes and hormones to aid in digestion and metabolism.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer, also called renal cell cancer, is cancer of the organs that filter blood to rid the body of waste products. Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women.

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the mucous-producing cells that line the interior of the stomach. Stomach cancer can grow through the outer layer of the stomach and invade other digestive organs.

Learn the Symptoms and Causes

Recognizing the signs of abdominal cancer allows for timely intervention, potentially increasing the chances of successful treatment and improving your quality of life.

Causes and Risk Factors Symptoms

What are the causes and risk factors of abdominal cancer?

The exact cause of abdomen cancer is unknown, but some lifestyle factors and habits can increase the risk of developing abdominal cancer, such as:

  • Age
  • High-fat diets
  • Cigarettes
  • Obesity
  • Conditions that compromise the digestive track
  • Family history of gastrointestinal problems and cancers
  • Diabetes
  • Sedentary lifestyles
  • Certain ethnic groups have a high risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer

Certain genetic syndromes can also increase the risk of developing abdominal cancers. Familial adenomatous polyposis, mutations on the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, hereditary hemochromatosis, and the presence of the DPC gene are genetic factors that could increase your risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers.


Common Signs and Symptoms

Depending on the type of abdominal cancer, symptoms may vary. Many people experience no symptoms in the early stages of colorectal cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Some general abdominal cancer symptoms include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Appetite loss
  • Blood in your stool
  • Noticeable increase in fatigue and/or weakness
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

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Connect With a Patient Navigator

As a patient at Baptist Cancer Center, you will have access to a dedicated patient navigator who will act as your advocate and liaison between you and your health care teams. Our patient navigators are available at every step to schedule appointments, answer questions, explain the treatment process, and provide resources, education and support when you and your family need it.