Gastrointestinal cancers are malignancies that originate in the digestive system. Digestive system cancers include those found in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Digestive system cancers are expected to number 253,500 new diagnoses in the United States in 2005.

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer will be the third most frequently diagnosed cancer for both men and women in the United States with an estimated 104,950 new diagnoses in 2005.

Cancers of the stomach, intestine, colon and rectum most often require a surgical intervention. Cancers of the esophagous often require special thoracic surgical procedures and/or stenting. Learn more about thoracic surgery at Exeter Hospital.