Cancer of the Digestive Tract

Abstract

The vast differences in the incidence of cancer of the digestive tract in various parts of the world are unexplained. These differences and the changes occurring in the incidence of cancer of the various digestive organs may provide some information regarding the cause of the disease. Methods of diagnosing cancer of digestive organs have improved, but early diagnosis is difficult and the cancer metastasizes rapidly. Surgical removal is the only curative treatment for cancer of the digestive tract. Although the success of surgical treatment has increased, it cannot progress much further. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been of limited palliative value. Other methods of treating cancer metastases must be found.