Gastrointestinal cancer
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the name for cancers affecting the digestive system (or GI tract).
Types of gastrointestinal cancers
Bile duct cancer
Bile ducts are part of the digestive system and are the tubes that link the liver and gallbladder to the small bowel. They transport bile, which helps break down the fat in our food.
Bile duct cancer (also called cholangiocarcinoma) develops in part of the bile duct lining. Abnormal cells start to multiply. They can spread into other areas including the gallbladder or pancreas.
Find out more about the treatment journey for bile duct cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Find out moreColorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common. The colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in Australia and is more common in people over the age of 50.1
It was estimated that 15,540 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in 2021.1
The chance of surviving colorectal cancer for at least five years, is 70%.1
Find out more about the treatment journey for colorectal cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Colorectal cancerGallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer is cancer of the biliary tract, part of the digestive system. It is one of the rarer types of cancer.
- The gallbladder stores bile made in the liver before it’s passed into the small bowel. The bile helps food digestion. It passes through a tube called the common bile duct which connects the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine.
- Gallbladder cancer happens when tissues in the lining of the gallbladder become abnormal and multiply. The most common type is adenocarcinoma – starting in glandular cells in the gallbladder lining.
- Unfortunately, by the time most people are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, the tumour is often too large to remove surgically or has spread to other areas of the body. This makes it very difficult to treat.
Find out more about the treatment journey for gallbladder cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Find out moreLiver cancer
The liver is the largest internal organ of the human body, weighing around 1.5kg in the average adult. It is positioned on the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the rib cage.
The main roles of the liver include:
- removing toxins from the body
- processing food nutrients – breaking down fats and proteins so they can be absorbed from the small intestine
- storing glycogen, made from sugars, to fuel the body
- helping to regulate body
Primary liver cancer is rare. It develops when liver cells become abnormal and form malignant tumours.1
Secondary liver cancer, where cancer has spread from another place in the body such as the bowel, is far more common and happens to about 20% of people who have bowel cancer.1
Find out more about the treatment journey for liver cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Find out moreOesophageal cancer
The oesophagus is the food pipe that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. It has three main sections – upper, middle and lower. Oesophageal cancer can develop anywhere along the length of the oesophagus.
Along with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, oesophageal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in advanced countries.
- Glands in the wall of the oesophagus produce mucus, which helps your food to go down more easily when you’re swallowing.
- Cancer that develops in the oesophagus is called adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.
Pancreatic cancer
The pancreas is a thin, lumpy gland that lies between the stomach and spine. It’s about 13 cm long and is joined by the pancreatic duct to the first part of the small bowel.
The pancreas does two main things:
- It makes hormones, including insulin to control the amount of sugar in the blood.
- It produces enzymes, which help break down food so the body can digest it.
Pancreatic cancer begins in the lining of the pancreatic duct and can spread into the rest of the pancreas before moving into surrounding blood vessels and nerves. It can obstruct the bile duct leading to jaundice.
Cancer that develops in the pancreas can also spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymphatic system.
Stomach cancer
Most stomach cancers develop in the cells in the inner lining of the stomach. Stomach cancers can also be called ‘adenocarcinoma of the stomach’ or ‘gastric cancer’.
This type of cancer develops quite slowly, and it can take years before any symptoms are noticed.
Regional Cancer Centre, Corner of Borella Road and East Street, East Albury, VIC, 2640
(02) 6043 7800
3056 Albany Hwy, Suite 10, Armadale Hospital Specialist Centre, Armadale WA 6112
(08) 9391 1234
Cardiac Investigations Unit, Bundaberg Base Hospital, Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West, QLD, 4670
(07) 4199 7300
Beaudesert Medical Centre, 47 William St, Beaudesert QLD 4285, Australia
(07) 5541 1422
St John Of God Berwick Specialist Centre, 55 Kangan Drive, Berwick VIC 3806, Australia
(03) 8794 2700
Suite 16, Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
(07) 5478 4829
Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
1800 155 225
Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, Corner of Roberston Drive & Bussell Highway, WA, 6230
(08) 9720 3400
South West Health Campus, Corner of Bussell Hwy & Roberston Drive, Bunbury, WA 6230
(08) 9726 6400
Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, (Cnr Robertson Drive & Bussell Hwy), Bunbury WA 6230
(08) 9720 3403
Suite 3, Entrance 1, 72 Barolin Street, Bundaberg, QLD 4670
(07) 4199 7080
Mater Misericordiae Hospital, 313 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West, QLD, 4670
(07) 4199 7080
Health and Wellness Centre Level 1, Suites 8-10, 20 Scholar Drive, Bundoora VIC 3083
(03) 8467 5900
Cabrini Hospital Malvern, Level B4, Gandel Wing, 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern, VIC 3144
(03) 9597 6900
Calvary Central Districts Hospital, Jarvis Road, Elizabeth Vale SA 5112, Australia
(08) 7285 6400
Chermside Medical Complex, Lower Ground Floor, 956 Gympie Road, Chermside Brisbane, QLD, 4032
(07) 3917 4400
Oriel Place, Suite 3, Level 1 531 Sandgate Road Clayfield QLD 4011
(07) 3648 2500
Cockburn Health & Community Centre, Level 1, Suite 11, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164
(08) 6332 2300
Cockburn Health & Community Centre, Level 1, Suite 11, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164
(08) 9233 5200
Denmark Health Service, 50 Scotsdale Road, Denmark WA, Australia
(08) 9480 3000
Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd. Trading as Emerald Medical Group Lot 1, Pilot Farm Road, Emerald QLD 4720
(07) 3858 8690
Epping Medical Centre, Ground Floor, 230 Cooper Street, Epping, VIC, 3076
(03) 9409 8000
Department of Radiation Oncology Cancer Centre, Lower Ground Floor 102-118 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
(08) 6318 2882
Flinders Private Hospital, Level 2, 1 Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042
(08) 8179 5500
Suite 3, Level 1, Building 1, 49 Frenchs Forest Road, Frenchs Forest East NSW 2086
(02) 9470 5300
Floor 1, 19-23 Bingera Street, Bundaberg QLD 4670
(07) 4199 7300
Mater Hospital (Outpatients Department), 50 Rosella Street, Gladstone, QLD, 4680
(07) 3858 8690
Gladstone GP Superclinic, 214 Philip Street, Gladstone Central QLD 4680
(07) 4199 7080
Ramsay Specialist Centre Suite 212, Level 2 Newdegate Street, Greenslopes, QLD, 4120
(07) 3255 7200
Gympie Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, 74 - 76 Channon Street, Gympie QLD 4570
(07) 5390 3700
Warringal Private Hospital, Suite 1, 216 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg VIC 3084
(03) 9455 4800
Corner of Nissen Street & Urraween Road, Urraween QLD 4655
(07) 4303 4351
Hollywood Consulting Centre, Ground Floor, Unit 1 91 Monash Avenue Nedlands WA 6009
(08) 9286 8800
Hollywood Private Hospital, Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging, Monash Ave, Nedlands WA 6009
(08) 9438 8500
Waratah Private Hospital, Level 6, 31 Dora Street, Hurstville, NSW, 2220
(02) 8568 7600
Jimboomba Medical Centre, 69 Cerina Circuit, Jimboomba QLD 4280, Australia
(07) 5546 9766
Nuclear Medicine & Therapy Centre, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
(08) 9438 8500
John Flynn Private Hospital, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
Level 3, Shenton House, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup, WA 6027
(08) 9400 6161
Level 2 & 3, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup WA 6027
(08) 9233 5200
Kalamunda Specialist Centre, 37 Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda, WA
(08) 9480 3000
Karratha Health Campus Outpatients Department 62 Balmoral Road KARRATHA WA 6714
(08) 9144 7777
Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital (formerly South Burnett Private Hospital), 31 Markwell Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610
(07) 3858 8690
Suite 1, Tennyson Centre, 520 South Road, Kurralta Park, SA 5037
(08) 8375 3200
Langwarrin Suite 2, 35 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Langwarrin VIC 3910
(03) 8769 5800
Lilydale Private Consulting Suites, 475 Swansea Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
(03) 9735 4288
Hospital Building, Suite 1, Level B2, 3 Technology Place, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109
(02) 9812 3220
17 Farrelly Street, Margaret River WA, Australia
(08) 9720 3400
Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
(08) 9720 3400
Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
(08) 9720 3400
St Stephen's Medical Centre Suite 2, 166 John Street Maryborough QLD 4650
(07) 4303 4300
Mater Private Clinic Suite 5.02 & 5.11, Level 5 550 Stanley Street South Brisbane QLD 4101
(07) 3360 7100
The Mater Hospital, 25 Rocklands road, North Sydney, NSW
(02)9458 8050
Midland Medical Specialist Care, 23 The Crescent, Midland, WA 6056
(08) 9480 3000
Mount Ommaney Medical Centre Shop 6/171 Dandenong Road Mt Ommaney QLD 4074
(07) 3725 3900
Mulgrave Private Hospital, Churchill Consulting Suites, Blanton Drive, Mulgrave VIC 3170
(03) 8793 3800
St John of God Wexford Medical Centre, Level 4, Suite 68-72, 3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch, WA 6150
(08) 6332 2300
Suite 59, SJOG Medical Centre Barry Marshall ParadeMurdoch WA 6150
St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch WA 6150
Suite 5-7, SJOG Medical Centre, 100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
(08) 9233 5200
Suite 20/21 Hollywood Medical Centre, 85 Monash Avenue, Nedlands WA
(08) 6389 9100
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, 36 Pacific Highway, Gateshead, NSW, 2290
(02) 4918 4500
Lake Imaging Specialist and Research Centre, 14-20 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051
(03) 9813 7950
North Shore Health Hub, Tower A, Level 1, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
(02) 8037 4100
St Andrew’s Hospital, North Street, Spring Hill, QLD, 4000
(07) 3832 1717
Lakeside Square Medical Precinct, Level 2, 2-9 Village Way, Pakenham VIC 3810
(03) 8793 3800
Melbourne Private Hospital, Private Medical Centre, Level 4, Suite 22, Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
(03) 9813 7950
Suite 3 Mount Medical Centre, Level 3, 140 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000
(08) 9233 5200
Pindara Specialist Suites Suite 4.07, Level 4, 29 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4214
Pindara Private Hospital, Allchurch Avenue, Benowa QLD 4217
Hedland Health Campus, Outpatient Department, Port Hedland WA 6721
(08) 9174 1380
Epworth Consulting Level 6, Suite 6.4 89 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121
(03) 9813 7950
Ringwood Private Hospital, 36 Mount Dandenong Road, Ringwood East VIC 3135
(03) 8870 3300
RiverCity Private Hospital, Level 4, 401 Milton Road, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066
Mater Hospital (Outpatients Department) 31 Ward Street Rockhampton QLD 4700
(07) 3858 8690
Rockhampton Hospital, Lower Ground Floor, Canning Street, Rockhampton, QLD, 4700
(07) 4932 5000
Elanora Dr, Rockingham General Hospital, Cooloongup WA 6168
Shenton House, Level 3, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup, WA 6027
(08) 9400 6213
St Andrew's Hospital, 352 South Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
(08) 8228 6700
St Andrew's Medical Centre Clinic, Level 2. 321 South Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
(08) 8202 6644
St Andrew's Hospital Toowoomba, 280 North Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Level 2, 457 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, QLD
1800 155 225
North Shore Health Hub, Tower A, Level 1, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
(02) 9057 5900
Level 1, Suite 10, Sara Stella Medical Centre, St Stephen's Private Hospital, 1 Medical Place, Urraween QLD 4655
(07) 4303 4300
Level A, 438 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010
(02) 8302 5400
St Vincent's Hospital, Basement Level, Building C, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065
(03) 9427 6500
St Vincent's Private Hospital, Toowoomba, Scott Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350
(07) 3858 8600
St Vincent's Private Hospital, Scott Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350
Suites 14 & 15, Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya QLD 4575
(07) 5390 3700
Sunshine Coast Respiratory & Sleep, Suite 501, Vitality Village 5, Discovery Way, Birtinya QLD 4575
(07) 5329 4130
Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital Suite 20/3 Doherty St, Birtinya QLD, 4575
(07) 5437 9788
Union Road Specialists Centre, 203 Union Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
(03) 9813 7900
Level 5, Suite 91 Sandford Jackson Building 30 Chasely Street Auchenflower QLD 4066
(07) 3858 8600
Level 2, Wesley Hospital 451 Coronation Drive, Auchenflower QLD 4066
(07) 3858 8650
The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066
1800 155 225
The Wesley Medical Centre, 1/40 Chasely St Auchenflower, Brisbane, QLD, 4066
(07) 3377 4200
Whittlesea Specialist Centre, 79-81 Church Street, Whittlesea VIC 3757
(03) 8467 5900
Royal Street Specialist Centre, Cnr Royal Street & Wanneroo Road, Yokine, WA 6060
0894803000
Royal Street Specialist Centre, Cnr Royal Street & Wanneroo Rd, Yokine WA 6060
(08) 9233 5200
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