Cancer Education
Stomach cancers are also called upper gastrointestinal (sometimes known as UGI) cancers. These happen in the organs you can find in the upper section of the digestive system.
Upper Gastrointestinal organs
The Upper Gastrointestinal organs of the digestive system include the following
- Oesophagus: this is the tube or pipe food travels down from the mouth into the stomach
- Stomach: this is where chewed food meets gastric juices and is further broken down (digested)
- Pancreas: this is where your body makes enzymes that help digest food as well as hormones such as insulin
- Liver: this has many jobs. These jobs include making fluid that helps break down fats in food - and storing sugars that bodies need as fuel. It also helps process alcohol, medicines, and some poisons to remove them from the body.
- Gall bladder: this is a small organ next to the liver that helps make and store bile that your body uses for the breakdown of food.
- The small intestine: this is where digested food from the stomach travels to and is further processed. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver help with this processing. This intestine is where your body absorbs most of the nutrients from the food. It then takes these nutrients to the bloodstream for use.
Upper gastrointestinal diseases
Your needs come first. We offer expert care across several different Upper Gastrointestinal diseases including:
- Oesophageal cancer
- Gall bladder and bile duct cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Liver metastases
- Malignant liver tumours
- Neuro-endocrine tumours
- Small intestine cancers
- Pancreatic cancer
- Benign and incidental liver tumours
- Incidental pancreatic cystic tumours
Referrals
We understand how stressful and difficult cancer can be.
Your team of experts are sensitive to your individual health and wellbeing needs – we are here to help.
You will need a referral from your GP or medical practitioner to access this service.
Related links
See the following links for useful Upper gastrointestinal cancer information and resources
- Understanding Cancer in the Liver guide pdf - Cancer Council Australia
- Understanding Pancreatic Cancer guide pdf - Cancer Council Australia
- Understanding Stomach and Oesophageal Cancers guide pdf - Cancer Council Australia