Condition Lookup

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Specialty: Oncology

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; jaundice; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; swelling in the abdomen; loss of appetite

Root Cause:
Primary liver cancer arising from hepatocytes, often due to cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infection, or chronic liver damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound), AFP blood test, and liver biopsy in some cases.

Treatment:
Curative options include surgical resection or liver transplantation; other treatments include ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Medications:
Sorafenib and lenvatinib are first-line treatments; immunotherapy includes atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab . Regorafenib is used for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common primary liver cancer; accounts for about 75% of liver cancer cases globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C infection, alcohol use, NAFLD, obesity, and diabetes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies widely; 5-year survival rate is about 33% for localized cases but poor for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Liver failure, metastasis, and worsening cirrhosis.

Esophageal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); unintended weight loss; chest pain; hoarseness; persistent cough; heartburn; regurgitation of food or liquids

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the esophagus, often associated with Barrett’s esophagus, chronic acid reflux (GERD), tobacco use, or alcohol consumption.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Upper endoscopy with biopsy, barium swallow study, imaging (CT scan, PET scan, or MRI), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for staging.

Treatment:
Treatment varies by stage and includes surgery (esophagectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Medications include chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin (a platinum-based chemotherapy agent) and fluorouracil (a pyrimidine analog), targeted therapy like trastuzumab (for HER2-positive tumors), and immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 20,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; more common in men and in regions with high tobacco and alcohol use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, chronic acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, obesity, older age, and male gender.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival rate ranges from 20% to 45% for localized cancer but is lower for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, esophageal strictures, metastasis to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or other organs.

Gastric (Stomach) Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; unintended weight loss; bloating; heartburn; melena (black, tarry stools); anemia

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the stomach lining, often linked to Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastritis, or genetic predisposition.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Upper endoscopy with biopsy, barium swallow, imaging (CT scan, PET scan), and staging laparoscopy in some cases.

Treatment:
Treatment involves surgery (total or partial gastrectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Medications include chemotherapy agents like fluorouracil , oxaliplatin , and capecitabine ; targeted drugs like trastuzumab (HER2-positive tumors) or ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR2); and immunotherapy like nivolumab (anti-PD-1).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 26,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; more common in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
H. pylori infection, smoking, high salt intake, diets low in fruits and vegetables, family history, and obesity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on stage; 5-year survival is about 70% for early-stage cancer but less than 30% for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, or malnutrition following surgery.

Colorectal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits; abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; persistent bloating; iron-deficiency anemia; narrow stools

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor formation in the colon or rectum, often due to genetic mutations (e.g., APC gene mutations) or progression from adenomatous polyps.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, stool-based tests (FIT, FOBT, or DNA tests), CT colonography, and imaging studies (CT or MRI) for staging.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on stage and includes surgery (colectomy), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy (especially for rectal cancer).

Medications:
Common chemotherapy agents include oxaliplatin , capecitabine , and 5-fluorouracil; targeted therapies include bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) and cetuximab or panitumumab (anti-EGFR for RAS wild-type tumors). Immunotherapy, such as pembrolizumab , is used for MSI-high tumors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Over 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States; the third most common cancer worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high red/processed meat consumption, and low fiber intake.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early detection leads to excellent outcomes (90% 5-year survival for localized cancer); advanced cancer has poorer outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, perforation, metastasis (commonly to liver and lungs), and recurrence after treatment.

Colon Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits; abdominal discomfort; fatigue; unintended weight loss; iron-deficiency anemia

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, often linked to genetic predisposition, diet, or chronic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, stool-based tests, CT colonography, and imaging (CT/MRI) for staging.

Treatment:
Surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon (colectomy), chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Medications include oxaliplatin , irinotecan , and 5-fluorouracil for chemotherapy; targeted drugs like bevacizumab and cetuximab ; immunotherapy for specific genetic profiles.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 100,000 people annually in the United States; more common in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, high-fat diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if detected early, with a 5-year survival rate over 90% for localized disease; poorer outcomes in advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, perforation, metastasis, and secondary cancers.

Rectal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; narrow stools; bowel habit changes; abdominal pain; fatigue; iron-deficiency anemia

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors develop in the rectum, often due to genetic mutations or adenomatous polyps.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, rectal ultrasound, CT/MRI for staging, and stool tests.

Treatment:
Surgery (low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Medications:
Medications include capecitabine and oxaliplatin for chemotherapy; targeted therapies like bevacizumab and cetuximab may also be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 45,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar to colon cancer, including family history, obesity, IBD, and poor diet.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for early-stage rectal cancer; worsens with advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, fistulas, metastasis, and recurrence.

Liver Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
unexplained weight loss; loss of appetite; upper abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; fatigue; jaundice; swelling in the abdomen; dark-colored urine

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the liver, often linked to chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (AFP levels), imaging (ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI), and liver biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment includes surgical resection, liver transplantation, ablation therapies (radiofrequency or microwave), embolization, and systemic therapies like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Sorafenib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and lenvatinib are commonly used targeted therapies; atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) with bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) is an immunotherapy combination for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Over 40,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; higher prevalence in regions with endemic hepatitis B or C.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic hepatitis infection, alcohol use, cirrhosis, obesity, diabetes, and aflatoxin exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on liver function and cancer stage; 5-year survival rate is about 30% overall but better for localized disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Liver failure, metastasis, portal hypertension, and ascites.

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; nausea; jaundice; lump in the abdomen

Root Cause:
Rare subtype of HCC occurring in young adults without underlying liver disease; linked to DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion mutation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI), biopsy, and liver function tests.

Treatment:
Surgical resection is the main treatment; systemic therapies are less effective, though some targeted therapies are under investigation.

Medications:
No established standard systemic therapy; clinical trials for targeted and immunotherapy drugs are ongoing.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of liver cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Not associated with typical liver cancer risk factors; genetic mutations are implicated.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Better prognosis than typical HCC if treated early; 5-year survival rates vary based on resectability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence after surgery, metastasis to other organs.

Pancreatic Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
jaundice; upper abdominal pain; unintended weight loss; loss of appetite; nausea; dark urine; pale stools; new-onset diabetes

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor in the pancreas, most commonly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, often associated with genetic mutations or chronic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT scan, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound), CA 19-9 blood test, and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (Whipple procedure), chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy includes gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel; FOLFIRINOX is used for advanced cases; targeted therapies like olaparib (PARP inhibitor) for BRCA-mutated cancers.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 62,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; often diagnosed at advanced stages.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity, genetic predisposition (e.g., BRCA mutations).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor; 5-year survival rate is about 10% overall, but higher for early-stage resectable tumors.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis, bile duct obstruction, diabetes, and malnutrition.

Gallbladder Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant; jaundice; nausea; vomiting; unintended weight loss; loss of appetite; abdominal swelling; fever

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors originating in the gallbladder, often linked to chronic inflammation, gallstones, or genetic mutations.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment includes surgical resection (cholecystectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and occasionally targeted therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine and cisplatin are commonly used; targeted therapies are being explored in clinical trials.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; approximately 12,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States, with higher prevalence in South America and Southeast Asia.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, obesity, older age, female gender, and a history of bile duct abnormalities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival is about 65% for localized cancer but less than 10% for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Biliary obstruction, liver metastasis, and malnutrition.

Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
jaundice; itchy skin; abdominal pain; dark urine; pale stools; unintended weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the bile ducts, often associated with chronic inflammation, bile duct abnormalities, or liver fluke infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (MRI, CT, or MRCP), blood tests for tumor markers (CA 19-9, CEA), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (bile duct resection or liver transplantation), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Common chemotherapy drugs include gemcitabine and cisplatin ; targeted therapies like ivosidenib (IDH1 inhibitor) are used for specific mutations.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with approximately 8,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), bile duct abnormalities, liver fluke infections, chronic liver disease, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of about 10-15% overall, but better if caught early.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Biliary obstruction, liver failure, and metastasis.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; gastrointestinal bleeding; unintended weight loss; anemia; abdominal swelling

Root Cause:
Rare mesenchymal tumors arising from interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract, often caused by mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT or MRI), endoscopy with biopsy, and molecular testing for KIT or PDGFRA mutations.

Treatment:
Surgery is the primary treatment for localized tumors; systemic therapy is used for advanced or metastatic cases.

Medications:
Targeted therapy with imatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) is the first-line treatment; sunitinib and regorafenib are used for resistant or advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very rare, with an incidence of 4,000-6,000 cases annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
No strong environmental risk factors; some cases are linked to genetic syndromes like neurofibromatosis type 1.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for localized tumors treated surgically; 5-year survival rate for metastatic disease is about 50% with effective targeted therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor rupture leading to peritonitis, metastasis (commonly to the liver), and recurrence.

Anal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; pain or pressure in the rectal area; a lump near the anus; itching around the anus; painful bowel movements; change in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea or constipation)

Root Cause:
Anal cancer typically develops from abnormal cells in the anus that grow uncontrollably. It is often associated with infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 16 and 18.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (including a digital rectal exam). Anoscopy or proctoscopy to examine the anus and rectum. Biopsy of suspicious tissue. Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, or PET scan) to determine the extent of cancer spread.

Treatment:
Radiation therapy, often combined with chemotherapy, is the standard treatment. Surgery may be considered for advanced cases, typically when there is a tumor that hasn't responded to radiation or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, typically with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C, is often used in conjunction with radiation for locally advanced disease.

Medications:
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) - A chemotherapy drug that interferes with the cancer cell's ability to divide and grow. Mitomycin C - A chemotherapy drug that inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Cisplatin - A platinum-based chemotherapy that can be used for more advanced cases. Radiation sensitizers - Medications that enhance the effectiveness of radiation, such as cisplatin .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Anal cancer is relatively rare, accounting for about 2% of all gastrointestinal cancers in the United States. It is more common in people with a history of HPV infection, particularly those with HIV.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially types 16 and 18. HIV/AIDS, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Anal intercourse. A history of other cancers, such as cervical cancer. Smoking. Weakened immune system (e.g., organ transplant recipients, immunosuppressive medications).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis for anal cancer is generally good if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treated appropriately, with a 5-year survival rate of about 65-80%. The prognosis worsens for individuals diagnosed at later stages when the cancer has spread.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes or distant organs (e.g., liver or lungs). Bowel dysfunction or incontinence following radiation therapy or surgery. Sexual dysfunction or psychological effects due to treatment, particularly in individuals who undergo surgery. Recurrence of cancer, particularly if not all of the tumor was removed or treated effectively.