Ahmedabad: The city hosted the annual conference of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Society, with experts focusing on the theme “Bridging Practice to Evidence in GI Malignancies.”Key topics discussed at the conference included emerging advances in gastrointestinal cancer care, robotic surgery, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, radiation oncology, precision medicine and multidisciplinary treatment approaches.Dr Pooja Nandwani Patel, secretary of GIOS, said there has been a rise in almost all categories of gastrointestinal cancers, from cancer of the food pipe to rectal cancer. She said lifestyle and dietary habits are among the major contributing factors, with some cancer categories recording a 20-30% rise over the past decade.“Timely detection and intervention are crucial. With minimally invasive surgeries, we have been able to reduce the removal of tissues,” she said.Organisers said digestive tract malignancies account for around 15-20% of all cancer cases. Oesophageal, colorectal and gallbladder cancers are among the major types reported. Experts added that more than 50% of patients still seek treatment only when the disease has progressed to stage III or IV.
