Screening for GI Cancer

The gastrointestinal tract includes the esophagus, stomach, small bowel or intestine, colon and rectum. Cancer can affect any part of the GI. Some screening tests are used to detect cancer early and decrease the risk of dying from cancer. Upper endoscopy (endoscope-a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens) is a procedure to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to check for abnormal areas.

To reduce risk of these cancers:

• Avoid preserved meats
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Eat plenty of green vegetables
• Keep normal weight
• Take regular exercise

Ascites Evaluation

 Accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity is called Ascites.It is most common complication of Liver Cirrhosis.

 Other Causes of Ascites:

• Congestive heart failure
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Fulminant hepatitis
• Subacute hepatitis
• Massive liver metastasis
• Budd-Chiari syndrome

 Symptoms:

• Abdominal distention and discomfort
• Flank pain
• Esophageal reflux
• Early satiety
• Anorexia
• Increased abdominal girth
• Lower extremity
• Nausea
• Respiratory distress
• With patient supine:

• Bulging flanks
• Flank dullness
• Shifting dullness on percussion
• Fluid wave

 Treatment:

 Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the ascites.For Cirrhotic ascites; the primary goal is to restore sodium balance.