C15-C26: Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs

Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs refers to a group of conditions involving cancerous cells in various organs of the digestive system, such as the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, and pancreas. These conditions occur when cells in these organs grow uncontrollably and form a mass, or a tumor. These cancers can occur following genetic or lifestyle factors, like a family history of the disease, chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, smoking, alcohol abuse, or a diet high in processed and red meats. Symptoms can often be silent or vague in early stages and might include discomfort, pain, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss. Disease progression involves the spread of malignant cells within the original organ to neighboring tissues or other organs in the body, which might disrupt normal functioning. For example, liver cancer can lead to jaundice, where the skin and eyes become yellow due to liver dysfunction.