Abdominal cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that grow in the abdominal area of the body. Abdominal cancer includes any of a variety of malignancies or cancers. Abdominal cancer can renal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.
The most common form of abdominal cancer is colorectal cancer. Some forms of abdominal cancer are often curable if caught in the earliest stages of the disease. These include uterine cancer. Other types of abdominal cancer, especially pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer, can be more difficult to treat and may have a more bleak prognosis or outcome, especially if not diagnosed until late stages of the disease. Untreated and/or advanced abdominal cancer can grow and spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymphatic system and the lungs, and eventually become terminal.
People at risk for developing abdominal cancer include those who smoke, are obese, and/or eat a high fat, low-fiber diet. Advancing age, especially over 50 years is another risk factor. People with ulcerative colitis or a family history of abdominal cancer or certain inherited diseases are also at increased risk for abdominal cancer. Having alcoholism, hepatitis or drinking excessively also puts a person at risk for abdominal cancer. In addition, having adenomatous intestinal polyps that are not removed while still benign increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer, a form of abdominal cancer.
Symptoms of abdominal cancer vary depending on the specific type. In early stages, some forms of abdominal cancer often produce no symptoms. As cancer develops, symptoms can include abdominal pain, jaundice, a change in bowel movements, bloating and abdominal discomfort, intestinal obstruction, vaginal bleeding, difficulty urinating, rectal bleeding and other symptoms. For more information on symptoms, refer to symptoms of abdominal cancer.
Diagnosing the specific type of abdominal cancer begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms and risk factors for abdominal cancer, and completing a physical examination. A combination of tests is used to make a diagnosis. Tests vary depending on the symptoms and the suspected type of abdominal cancer. Test may include blood tests, CT, MRI, ultrasound, a fecal occult blood test, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and/or a barium X-ray, of the colon.
A biopsy may also be performed. A biopsy involves taking a small sample from the area of the body with suspected abdominal cancer and examining it under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
A diagnosis of abdominal cancer can be missed or delayed because there may be no symptoms, and because some symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as gastroenteritis or hemorrhoids. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of abdominal cancer.
Treatment of abdominal cancer varies, depending on the type of cancer, its location, the stage of advancement of the disease, and other factors. Treatment may require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of abdominal cancer. ...more »
Abdominal Cancer: Growth of abnormal cells (tumour) affecting the organs in the abdominal cavity; may be due to primary growth of a tumour or spread from another tumour (metastases, secondary tumour). More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Abdominal Cancer is available below.
Symptoms of abdominal cancer can vary among individuals. Some people experience no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of some forms of abdominal cancer, such as colorectal cancer or ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of abdominal cancer can also be vague and very similar to other diseases, disorders and conditions. These symptoms can include ...more symptoms »
Treatment of abdominal cancer starts with prevention. Preventive measures include seeking regular medical care throughout the lifetime. Regular medical care allows a health care professional to best evaluate the risks of abdominal cancer and promptly screen for some forms with such tests as the PSA test for prostate cancer.
Colorectal cancer can be screened for ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of abdominal cancer can be missed because some people do not have symptoms, especially in the early stages of abdominal cancer. In addition, some symptoms of abdominal cancer can be vague and similar to other diseases, conditions and disorders. These include hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, gas, biliary colic, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, peptic ulcer, ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 72 symptoms of Abdominal Cancer
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