April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, which makes this good time to learn the signs of esophageal cancer and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Approximately 21,560 new cases of esophageal cancer ― 17,030 in men and 4,530 in women ― will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, and 16,120 people ― 12,920 men and 3,200 women ― will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus ― a long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. Your esophagus helps move the food you swallow from the back of your throat to your stomach to be digested. Esophageal cancer is more common among men than women, and it can occur anywhere along the esophagus.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Weight loss without trying
• Chest pain, pressure or burning
• Worsening indigestion or heartburn
• Coughing or hoarseness

Reducing your risk

Here are four steps you can take to reduce your risk of esophageal cancer:

• Quit smoking.
  If you smoke, talk to your health care professional about strategies for quitting. If you don't use tobacco, don't start.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
  If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  Add a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
  If you are overweight or obese, talk to your health care professional about strategies to help you lose weight. Aim for a slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds per week.

Connect with others talking about esophageal cancer in the Esophageal Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.

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April 19 is World IBS Day, intended to raise awareness about IBS, which affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract.

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"Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 10% of U.S. adults," says Dr. Brian Lacy, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist.

The symptoms of IBS are sometimes embarrassing and can affect a person's physical and emotional well-being.

"Patients have symptoms of disordered defecation. And that, in some patients, means constipation, skipping days without a bowel movement, straining of a bowel movement, or diarrhea, loose, watery urgent bowel movements," says Dr. Lacy.

The exact cause of IBS is still unclear, but it's believed to be a combination of factors, including changes in the gut microbiome and food intolerances.

IBS is now categorized as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, which means there is a problem with how the gut and the brain communicate with each other.

"That stress, which can affect the brain, then sends signals to the gut, changing gut function and worsening your IBS symptoms," says Dr. Lacy.

There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can be managed. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals, and exercising regularly. Deep breathing and yoga are also helpful to reduce stress.

When to see a doctor for irritable bowel syndrome

See your healthcare professional if you have significant changes in bowel habits. Some severe symptoms include:

• Bloody stools.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Unexplained vomiting.

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April is IBS Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Research suggests that about 12% of people in the U.S. have irritable bowel syndrome, and it's more common among women than men and in people younger than 50, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Even though the digestive tract looks normal, it doesn't function as it should. Normally, the muscles in the intestines that move food from the stomach to the rectum contract and relax in a gentle rhythm that moves the food along in a fairly predictable schedule. But with irritable bowel syndrome, the muscles in the intestines spasm, making the contractions longer and stronger than normal. Those spasms are painful, and they disrupt the movement of food through the intestines.

Signs and symptoms

Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. More severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counseling.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary, but the most common include:

• Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement
• Changes in appearance of bowel movement
• Changes in how often you are having a bowel movement
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Increased gas
• Mucus in the stool

Risk factors

Many people have occasional signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but you're more likely to have the syndrome if you:

• Are young.
  Irritable bowel syndrome occurs more frequently in people under 50.
• Are female.
  In the U.S., irritable bowel syndrome is more common among women than men. Estrogen therapy before or after menopause also is a risk factor.
• Have a family history of irritable bowel syndrome.
  Genes may play a role, as may shared factors in a family's environment or a combination of genes and environment.
• Have anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.
  A history of sexual, physical or emotional abuse also might be a risk factor.

Connect with others talking about managing IBS and living well in the Digestive Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new drug has been shown to increase healing and regeneration of the liver after major surgery, according to a study published in the scientific journal Cell. Researchers hope that this could lead to more surgical options for patients diagnosed with advanced liver tumors and liver failure.

"This research is significant because this is the first drug of its kind to show an increase in healing and regeneration of the liver after major surgery," says Scott Nyberg, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon and co-senior author of the study. "This discovery has the potential to improve the treatment of liver failure, increase the safety of liver transplantation for living donors and potentially avoid the need for a liver transplant in some cases."

Mayo Clinic researchers collaborated with researchers at Tubingen University Hospital in Germany, who led the project. "Our drug candidate would not only be an urgently needed treatment option in oncological liver surgery but, by enabling safe living donor liver transplantations, also holds the promise to overcome the major problem of organ shortage in the field of liver transplantation," says Lars Zender, M.D., Ph.D., co-senior author of the study from Tubingen.

Liver disease remains a major health concern, causing an estimated 2 million deaths worldwide per year. While healthy livers have a nearly unlimited ability to regenerate themselves, that is not the case for livers that are damaged. As a result, surgeons treating a patient with primary liver tumors are limited in how large of a section of the liver can safely be removed to avoid liver failure.

The study found that a drug called HRX215 inhibits the MKK4 protein found in liver cells. That appears to trigger the self-healing function of the liver, allowing it to regenerate. Before the drug was tested in 48 healthy volunteers within the phase 1 study, it was investigated in animal models. The preclinical study was able to show that the use of HRX-215 increased liver regeneration and prevented liver failure, even after the removal of 85% of the organ. The phase 1 study found excellent safety and tolerability of the drug in people. Additional clinical trials are needed to establish the efficacy of the drug in humans.

Researchers are hopeful that this discovery will one day create more surgical options for patients with advanced liver tumors by allowing more of the liver to be safely removed. It also has the potential to benefit patients with acute and chronic liver failure. This drug could potentially allow for successful liver transplants from a smaller portion of a healthy donor's liver, and thus posing less risk to healthy donors. Often, this liver is too small to successfully take over the function of the full-sized liver removed from the recipient. The hope would be that this drug could allow for rapid liver regeneration, creating a new safe transplant option for people struggling with liver failure. This drug also could potentially eliminate the need for a liver transplant for some patients.

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About Mayo Clinic

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Media contact:

• Heather Carlson Kehren, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Colorectal cancer, the third-most common cancer in the U.S., has been rising among younger people for the past two decades. It is not one type of cancer but two cancers: colon cancer, which starts in the large intestine, and rectal cancer, which begins in the last part of the large intestine, known as the rectum. 

Dr. Derek Ebner, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, notes that colorectal cancer has been increasing in adults under age 50, particularly for rectal cancer. He says it's important to know the warning signs of colorectal cancer and to not delay medical treatment.

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"Historically, colorectal cancer was equally divided along the colon and rectum, but particularly for those with early onset colorectal cancer — age less than 50 — we're seeing higher rates of rectal cancer among the younger onset," says Dr. Ebner.

Case of colorectal cancer has been increasing in adults under age 50, particularly for rectal cancer.

Warning signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer

Dr. Ebner says four key symptoms have been identified for people under 50 who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

"Abdominal pain, diarrhea, seeing blood with bowel motions, as well as iron deficiency anemia," he says.

Dr. Ebner notes that blood loss after bowel movements, even if not visibly apparent, can lead to low iron levels.

"If on a blood test, for example, we see a sign of iron deficiency, that would then prompt us to explore further," he says.

Even though it may be embarrassing, he stresses, "If you have any of those symptoms, you need to share it with a healthcare provider. That way, they can navigate those subsequent steps."

Which can lead to early treatment and better outcomes.

Reducing risks of colorectal cancer

While it's not possible to completely prevent cancer, there are ways to reduce your risks and that includes following a healthy lifestyle.

"Abiding by a healthy lifestyle is critical," says Dr. Ebner. "Following a well-rounded diet, staying physically active, for instance, perhaps can be protective. The other key, though, is just being very mindful of those symptoms, and then also underscoring the importance of screening."

• Screening: Talk to your healthcare team about colorectal cancer screening.
• Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days.
• Nutrition: Eat fruits, veggies and whole grains.
• Weight: Maintain a healthy weight.
• Lifestyle: Don't smoke, limit alcohol consumption.

Related posts:

• Innovative treatments for rectal cancer
• Mayo Clinic Minute: What’s the right colorectal cancer screening option for you?

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More than 26,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with stomach cancer this year, and nearly 11,000 people will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach. In the U.S., stomach cancer is more likely to affect the area where the esophagus meets the stomach. Where the cancer occurs in the stomach is one factor health care professionals consider when determining treatment options.

Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer can include:

• Trouble swallowing.
• Belly pain.
• Feeling bloated after eating.
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food.
• Not feeling hungry when you would expect to be hungry.
• Heartburn.
• Indigestion.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Unintentional weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Black stools.

Treatment

If you've been diagnosed with stomach cancer, your health care professional will consider the stage and location of your cancer, as well as your overall health and personal preferences, to determine your treatment plan.

Treatment can include:

• Surgery.
  The goal of surgery for stomach cancer is to remove all of the cancer. For small stomach cancers, surgery might be the first treatment. Other treatments might be used first if the stomach cancer grows deeper into the stomach wall or spreads to the lymph nodes.
• Chemotherapy.
  Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy often is used before surgery to treat stage 2 and stage 3 stomach cancers. Systemic chemotherapy can shrink the cancer so that it's easier to remove. Systemic chemotherapy may be used after surgery if there's a risk that some cancer cells were left behind. If surgery isn't an option, systemic chemotherapy may be recommended instead. It can be used if the cancer is too advanced or if you're not healthy enough to have surgery. Chemotherapy also can help control cancer symptoms.
• Radiation therapy.
  Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. The beams can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. Radiation sometimes is used before surgery to treat stage 2 and stage 3 stomach cancers. It can shrink the cancer so that it's easier to remove. Radiation therapy may be used after surgery if the cancer can't be removed completely. Radiation can help relieve stomach cancer symptoms if the cancer is advanced or surgery isn't possible.
• Targeted therapy.
  Targeted treatments use medicines that attack specific chemicals present within cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, targeted treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Your cancer cells are tested to see if targeted therapy is likely to work for you. Targeted therapy typically is used for advanced stomach cancer. This may include stage 4 stomach cancer and cancer that comes back after treatment.
• Immunotherapy.
  Immunotherapy is a treatment with medicine that helps your body's immune system kill cancer cells. Your immune system fights off diseases by attacking germs and other cells that shouldn't be in your body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system cells find and kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapy sometimes is used to treat advanced cancer. This may include stage 4 stomach cancer or cancer that comes back after treatment.

Connect with others talking about stomach cancer in the Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic

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Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a long, flat gland that lies horizontally behind your stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes for digestion and hormones that regulate the way your body processes sugar.

About 275,000 hospital stays for acute pancreatitis occur in the U.S. each year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Chronic pancreatitis is less common, with about 86,000 hospital stays per year. And although pancreatitis is rare in children, the number of children with acute pancreatitis has grown.

Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, irritating the cells of your pancreas and causing inflammation. Acute pancreatitis appears suddenly and lasts for days. Repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis over many years can damage the pancreas and lead to chronic pancreatitis.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis may vary, depending on which type you experience.

Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain.
• Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.
• Tenderness when touching the abdomen.
• Fever.
• Rapid pulse.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

Chronic pancreatitis signs and symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain.
• Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Oily, smelly stools called "steatorrhea."

Factors that increase your risk of pancreatitis include excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, obesity, diabetes and a family history of pancreatitis.

Mild cases of pancreatitis can improve with treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications. Initial treatment can include monitoring eating as tolerated, and tube feeding if necessary; pain medications; and IV fluids. Once your pancreatitis is under control, your health care team will evaluate and treat the underlying cause of your pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis may require additional treatments, including pain management, enzymes to improve digestion, and changes to your diet.

Connect with others talking about pancreatitis in the Digestive Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.

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"What we need to know about taking any intervention for obesity, including these two new medications, is that they're not a quick fix. They're not a magic pill or, in this case, a magic injection," says Dr. Acosta, a Mayo Clinic expert in treating obesity and co-author of "The Mayo Clinic Diet Rx."

He says in order to achieve healthy, long-term weight loss, tools like weight-loss medications need to be part of a multidisciplinary program that includes diet and exercise routines.

"The diet is still key. What this medication is doing is suppressing our appetite, so I don't feel that hungry, so I can eat less. So, diet is important," says Dr. Acosta.

Dr. Acosta recommends sticking to a healthy, low-calorie, high-protein diet to ensure healthy weight loss.

"When the medications or effects are coming off, or we want to stop the medications, it's important that we consider what diet intervention I'm going to do — what changes I'm going to do to my lifestyle, to my diet, in my exercising, my physical activity — in order to keep that weight off for a longer period of time."

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: What's the skinny on weight-loss drugs?

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There is no cure and no exact cause, though researchers continue to look at how genes, the microbiome and environmental factors play a role in this chronic disease. Dr. Amanda Johnson, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, helps explain IBD and whether diet can help.

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Two common types of inflammatory bowel disease

IBD is a broad term for chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Two types are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

“Ulcerative colitis really tends to only involve the colon and be more of a superficial type inflammation; whereas Crohn's disease can impact anything in the intestine, essentially, from the mouth all the way down to the anus," says Dr. Johnson.

She says diet alone does not cause IBD. While some foods may reduce symptoms, there is no one proven diet to control inflammation.

"The right diet is probably different for each individual, based on the type of IBD that they have, the location of their disease, whether they've had surgeries or other complications," says Dr. Johnson.

Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid ultraprocessed foods, added sugars and animal fats. And drink plenty of fluid to stay hydrated.

Diet does not replace medical treatment. Dr. Johnson says there are effective treatment options, so it is important to work with your healthcare provider.

"The tenant of therapy we have are immune-suppressing-type therapies that try to target that inappropriate response to the intestines and then calm down that inflammation within the gut," she says.

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Whole grains are an important part of healthy diet. They are good sources of complex carbohydrates, as well as some key vitamins and minerals. And because whole grains are naturally high in fiber, they may help you feel full and satisfied, which can make it easier to maintain a healthy body weight. Eating more whole-grain foods also can lower your blood pressure.

Some people, though, have a medical diagnosis that means they must avoid the gluten in grains such as wheat, barley and rye.

Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an immune reaction to eating gluten. While the cause of celiac disease isn't known, the disease is becoming more common.

If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients. The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia. And it can lead to serious complications.

A gluten-free diet is essential to manage signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten, including nonceliac gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia and wheat allergy.

Following a gluten-free diet requires paying careful attention to food selections, the ingredients found in foods and their nutritional content, as well as medications.

Removing wheat, barley and rye from your diet may seem daunting. Trace amounts of gluten in your diet can be damaging, even if they don't cause signs or symptoms. Gluten can be hidden in foods and nonfood products, including medications, vitamin and mineral supplements, toothpaste and mouthwash. A dietitian can help you plan a healthy, gluten-free diet.

And you can still enjoy the health benefits of eating whole grains. Options in a gluten-free diet include buckwheat, corn, flax, millet, quinoa and rice. While oats are naturally gluten-free, they may be contaminated during production with wheat, barley or rye. Oats and oat products labeled as gluten-free have not been cross-contaminated. However, some people with celiac disease cannot tolerate the oats labeled as gluten-free.

Connect with others talking about gluten-free eating and living well in the Digestive Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.

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