[Prevention of gastrointestinal malignancies]

Abstract

Malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract are the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in Germany. They also induce significant morbidity. Despite both surgical and medical therapeutic improvements, advanced stages of these cancers can rarely be cured. Preventive and screening measures are suitable to decrease gastrointestinal cancer-related mortality. Weight reduction and cessation of smoking are effective in preventing esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Treatment of infections like chronic viral hepatitis and helicobacter pylori gastritis is able to protect from hepatocellular and gastric cancer, respectively. Colonoscopy is one of the best established screening methods. It allows early detection of colorectal neoplasia. Preneoplastic adenomas can be endoscopically removed during the same session. We here review simple prevention strategies and effective screening methods in gastrointestinal cancers of relevance in daily practice.