The number of patients registering for cancers of the digestive tract classified as gastrointestinal cancer (GI) cancers — at the city’s premier cancer hub, Tata Memorial Hospital, increased by 200% between 2010 and 2023.
This may be symptomatic of an age of fast food and XXL sizes, where GI cancers account for 26% of the global incidence ad 35% of all cancer-related deaths. “There is a general increase in GI cases due to the rise in urbanization and lifestyle changes.”
While TMH registrations for GI cancers rose to 200%, there was a 300% rise in patient admissions since 2010. The TMH data showed 1,335 patients were admitted for treatment in 2010, the number increased to 5,402 in 2022.
“High Magnitude” of GI cancers, mainly oesophagus, stomach, gallbladder, rectum, and pancreas across different different regions of India.
Looking at data from population and hospital-based cancer registers across India from 1982 to 2016, it found gallbladder cancer rising in Delhi and Mumbai. “Pancreatic cancer had a rising trend among women in Mumbai. There was an increasing trend for pancreatic cancer among men in Chennai and Mumbai.”
However, although there is a rise in GI cancers, it isn’t alarming in India. “The rise is in sync with the rise in population. Certain centers enjoy a good reputation and may see more patients coming for treatment, but more footfalls in one hospital doesn’t mean there is an increase in the community.”
Most notable aspect of GI cancers in recent times has been the drastic improvement in treatment modalities. “Until two decades back, 80% of the GI cancers would be detected at a stage when they were inoperable, but we have come a long way since then.”
He said patients now come earlier for detection. “Moreover, we have better chemotherapy regimen and we use robotic surgery for more precision. These factors have reduce the morality rate.”
Consider the TMH data itself. While 677 of the GI patients admitted in 2010 underwent surgery, the number increase to 2,083 in 2022. “There has been a 250% rise in surgeries for GI cancers since 2010, and mortality dropped from 2.2% (in 2010) to 1.4% (in 2022).”
Globally, the incidence of GI cancers is set to increase by 58% by 2040, according to the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC).
What are GI cancers?:-
Cancers in digestive organs such as stomach, large and small intestine, pancreas, colon, liver, rectum, anus, and billary system.
Risk factors:-
- Alcohol consumption.
- Tobacco smoking.
- Infection (caused by bacteria H pylori, Heptatitis B virus, and so on)
- Diet and obesity.
Global trends:-
GI cancers make up for 26% of the global cancer incidence and 35% of all cancer-related deaths.
Oesophageal, gastric and liver cancers are common in Asia.
Colorectal and pancreatic cancers highest in Europe and North America.
Uniform decrease in gastric (stomach) cancer incidence.
India trends:-
More common among men is 60.5% than women (39.5%)
Highest incidence in India’s northeast region.
Commonest among men are cancer of oesophagus – 28.2%, then stomach (21%), and rectum (14.3%).
In women, oesophagus – 25.7%. gallbladder – 23.8%, stomach – 14.8%, and rectum – 14.8%
A few pointers on how to reduce the risk of GI diseases and cancers:-
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Avoid certain meats.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke.
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
GI cancer trends between 1982 and 2016 among males and females:-
- Oesophageal cancer declining in Chennai, Bhopal, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- Stomach cancer declining in Bangalore, Chennai, Bhopal, and Mumbai.
- Colon, rectum, and liver cancer rising in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi & Mumbai.
- Stomach cancer declining in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- Colon cancer rising in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- Rectum cancer rising in Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi.
- Liver and gallbladder cancer rising in Mumbai and Delhi.
- Pancreatic cancer had a rising trend among women in Mumbai.
