Colon cancer (also referred to as colorectal cancer) includes cancers of the colon (large intestine), rectum, appendix and anus. Most colorectal cancers develop first as polyps—small growths inside the colon or rectum that can become cancerous tumors over time. If the cells of a tumor spread to the intestinal wall and other areas, a malignant tumor can develop. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined, second only to lung cancer.

Colon cancer screening should begin at 50 years of age in healthy individuals with no family history of cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, you may need screening earlier.

Constipation is a condition in which bowel movements happen less frequently than normal, or the stool is small, hard and difficult or painful to pass. By blocking the colon, a hardened stool can lead to a variety of colon disorders. Chronic constipation is a condition that may include constipation lasting over six months, or three or fewer bowel movements each week. While some constipation can be treated with diet, exercise or the use of fiber or laxatives, there are special medications used to treat constipation in certain circumstances.

Crohn’s disease belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic inflammatory condition that can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, but usually involves the small and/or large intestine. The inflammation can lead to pain, diarrhea and sometimes infections (abscesses). Crohn’s disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to many other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis. It affects men and women equally. While some patients may have a family member with a similar diagnosis, many do not. There are many medications available today that can treat Crohn’s disease.

Diverticulosis is the presence of small pouches that bulge through weak spots in the lining of your large intestine. About half of all people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis.

If the pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition becomes diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is also common, occurring in 10-25% of all people with diverticulosis.

Hemorrhoids are a condition in which the blood vessels in and around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids may result from straining during a bowel movement. Other contributing factors including pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse. Hemorrhoids are not usually dangerous, and can be easily treated, although a thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by a doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that is used to describe chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. The two most common types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These can affect different parts of the intestines and are therefore frequently managed differently. There are several medications available that can treat both conditions.

Ulcerative colitis belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic inflammatory condition that only affects the large intestine. This is different from Crohn’s disease which can cause inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis commonly presents with bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. There are many medications available to successfully treat this condition.

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a change in the esophageal tissue close to where the esophagus connects to the stomach. It develops in a small subset of the population with chronic acid reflux. It is believed that Barrett’s esophagus is a precursor to esophageal cancer development. If you have Barrett’s esophagus, it is recommended that you undergo routine endoscopic surveillance to ensure there are no pre-cancerous changes.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten-containing foods (wheat, rye, barley) leads to injury and inflammation in the small intestine. This can cause lead to various symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating and frequently diarrhea. Long-term complications include iron-deficiency as well as poor absorption of several other vitamins and minerals. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you have these symptoms to see if screening is right for you.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that is believed to be related to environmental and dietary allergens. The inflammation can lead to a narrow esophagus which can result in difficulty swallowing and occasionally food getting stuck. Patients are typically younger with a history of asthma, seasonal allergies and/or eczema. There are other disorders which can cause similar symptoms, however, thus a thorough evaluation is necessary. Biopsies can confirm the diagnosis.

The esophagus has a mechanism for preventing the reflux of juices and acid from the stomach back into the esophagus. But when stomach acid and digestive enzymes repeatedly reflux into the esophagus, the tissue becomes inflamed. This inflammation is known as esophagitis. In some cases, this can lead to ulcers within the esophagus.

When recurrent inflammation occurs in the esophagus, scarring develops. Underlying tissue becomes fibrous, and the opening of the esophagus near the stomach can narrow. This is known as a stricture. In some cases, the opening may be reduced to the diameter of a pencil or smaller. As a result, a large piece of food may completely block the esophagus.

GERD affects an estimated 5-7% of the world’s population, including men, women and children. Persistent heartburn (at least once per day) is the most frequent—but not the only—symptom of GERD. It is a chronic disease, and treatment usually involves long term care once symptoms have been brought under control. Various treatments range from lifestyle modifications to the use of medication or even surgery. Because the symptoms of GERD are so common, consultation with a physician is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Acid Reflux Disease and Heartburn are alternative terms describing GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

GERD affects an estimated 5-7% of the world’s population, including men, women and children. Persistent heartburn (at least once per day) is the most frequent—but not the only—symptom of GERD. It is a chronic disease, and treatment usually involves long term care once symptoms have been brought under control. Various treatments range from lifestyle modifications to the use of medication or even surgery. Because the symptoms of GERD are so common, consultation with a physician is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacteria that is found in the lining of the stomach. It is responsible for approximately 40-50% of the stomach and duodenal ulcers in the United States. Before this bacteria was discovered in 1982, it was thought that spicy food, acid, stress and lifestyle were the causes of ulcers. As a result, many of the old ulcer treatments provided only temporary relief. Today, the appropriate antibiotics can be prescribed to successfully eliminate the infection in most patients, with a minimal chance for recurrence.

IBS is a functional disorder that affects the large intestine and is characterized by multiple symptoms. It causes cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the bowel are highly sensitive, and may contract too much during meals. Because the symptoms of IBS are similar to other, more severe GI disorders, your doctor will perform tests to properly diagnose the problem. Treatment for IBS may involve lifestyle or dietary changes, laxatives or medication.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, which is predominantly found in milk. It results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells in the small intestine. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, the results may be very distressing. Symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea which begin between 30 minutes and 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. It is estimated that between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose-intolerant.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects approximately 10% of all Americans. This can result when the lining of the stomach and/or small intestine develops a defect that then becomes exposed to acid. The acid exposure can lead to severe inflammation, erosions and even ulcers. Diagnosis of a peptic ulcer is confirmed with an upper intestinal endoscopy (EGD), which allows the doctor to directly examine and biopsy the ulcer. Treatment has become quite effective in recent years, and may include acid-suppressing drugs or antibiotics.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which there is an increased growth of colonic bacteria within the small intestine. The exact prevalence is not known but several factors increase the risk including antibiotic use, intestinal surgery, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to name a few. The symptoms usually include bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort and sometimes diarrhea. Because these symptoms are not specific to this disease process, additional tests may be ordered.

Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the liver tissue, causing it to become inflamed. Oftentimes, patients may feel nothing more than fatigue, but it can present with abdominal discomfort, swelling, joint pain, yellowing of the eyes/skin and itching. It can be diagnosed with blood tests usually but in some circumstances may require a liver biopsy. There are various medicines that can be used to treat this disease if diagnosed.

Cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver due to chronic inflammation, can develop from many disease processes. One of the most common etiologies is long-standing alcohol abuse, but other very common causes include hepatitis C and fatty liver. Cirrhosis leads to several changes within the body, thus a thorough discussion with your physician is needed to know what your risks are and how to keep you feeling your best.

Fatty liver is the build-up of extra fat in liver cells (steatosis). While alcohol is a common cause, there is a large percent of patients with no significant alcohol history. In these patients, we call it non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This tends to develop in overweight or obese patients with diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. However, some patients will develop this without the above risk factors. A discussion with your physician can help you identify possible risk factors and management options.

Fatty liver is the build-up of extra fat in liver cells (steatosis). While alcohol is a common cause, there is a large percent of patients with no significant alcohol history. In these patients, we call it non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This tends to develop in overweight or obese patients with diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. However, some patients will develop this without the above risk factors. A discussion with your physician can help you identify possible risk factors and management options.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the underside of the liver that is used to store bile—a substance that the digestive system uses to aid in the digestion of fat. Gallbladder disease is a common condition that mostly affects women, although men can suffer from it too. The symptoms vary widely from mild discomfort to severe pain, which begin after the ingestion of food. In severe cases, the patient can suffer from jaundice, nausea and fever. Gallbladder disease is most often caused by gallstones, which are formed when bile contains too much cholesterol. The excess cholesterol forms crystals from which gallstones are made.

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States. As such, it is frequently part of the work up for elevated liver enzymes. It results in excess absorption and storage of iron, especially within the liver. Oftentimes it is asymptomatic, but can result in fatigue, joint pain, diabetes, “bronzing” of the skin and occasionally heart issues. If found to have this condition, your physician will discuss the management option and long-term implications.

Hepatitis is the general term used to describe inflammation of the liver. The causes vary, and can include viruses, parasites, medications and drug and alcohol use. Hepatitis is diagnosed after an analysis of the blood shows an elevation in liver enzymes (also referred to as ALT and AST).

Hepatitis B is the most common form of the disease worldwide, and can be transmitted during birth, via blood transfusions (very rare now that blood donations are screened), sharing needles or sexual intercourse. 95% of patients acutely infected with Hepatitis B will fully recover. Only about 5% will go on to have a chronic infection. Sometimes patients will need medication to help suppress the virus and reduce the inflammation in the liver. Talk to your physician about the latest treatment options available.

Hepatitis is the general term used to describe inflammation of the liver. The causes vary, and can include viruses, parasites, medications and drug and alcohol use. Hepatitis is diagnosed after an analysis of the blood shows an elevation in liver enzymes (also referred to as ALT and AST).

Hepatitis C is the most common form of viral hepatitis in the United States. It can be transmitted via blood transfusions (before blood donation screening began in early 1990’s) and sharing of needles (drug use, tattoos). It is estimated that over 3 million Americans are infected, the majority of them not aware they have it. It is now the recommendation that those born between the years 1945-1965, regardless of risk factors, get screened with a simple blood test. If you have additional risk factors, you should also get screened.

Hepatitis C can now be CURED in most people. New drug regimens are being created frequently, so talk to your physician about the latest treatment options.

Located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, the pancreas produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of food within the intestines. The pancreas also produces insulin, which is important in regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. Pancreatic diseases include diabetes, acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme deficiency, cysts (fluid-filled sacs) precancerous lesions, and malignant tumors. Because of the severity of some of these conditions, proper diagnosis by a physician is critical.

The GI tract can unfortunately be a source of several malignancies that require specialty experience. Treatment is individualized based on location, stage, and symptoms. Our physicians are well versed in the treatment of malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and its associated organs. We understand the importance of a timely diagnosis, workup, and initial treatment and work hard to get patients to treatment as quickly as possible. If you or a family member have any of the following malignancies please do not hesitate to contact us.

• Colon cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric/Stomach cancer
• Gastrointestinal lymphoma
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Gallbladder cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Carcinoid tumors