A symptom is the way the body communicates the presence of a disease, illness or injury. Signs also may be an indication that part of the body is not functioning properly, but they are more narrowly defined as observations made by a physician or other qualified medical professional.

Digestive problems are among the signs and symptoms of many types of cancer, such as cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat or gastrointestinal tract. Digestive problems may occur as a side effect caused by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Some of the most common digestive problems associated with cancer and its treatments include, but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. It is important to remember that numerous conditions, most unrelated to cancer, can cause digestive difficulties.  Typically, digestive problems are temporary and resolve on their own or with minimal intervention.

However, digestive problems can be a sign of a more serious disease, such as cancer. To determine the possible cause of the digestive problems, physicians obtain a medical history, review the patient’s symptoms and conduct a physical examination. Patients may be seen by their regular physician or if necessary, by a specialist such as a gastroenterologist, who is an expert in the problems of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract. The treatment of digestive problems can be established once the underlying cause has been determined.