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Stomach cancer

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As the name suggests, stomach cancer means abnormal tissue growth in stomach (medically known as Adenocarcinoma). It is also called gastric cancer. Usually, stomach cancer sets off from the inner lining of the stomach (mucosa of stomach) and slowly invades it. The cancerous tissue can also spread to the esophagus or towards the small intestine. There is no clear reason for the onset of this disease. But there are several risk factors which may augment its occurrence.

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Causes

The exact cause of stomach cancer is still not known. However, there are certain factors that increase your risk of suffering from this condition.

Certain dietary and lifestyle factors that raise your risk of stomach cancer include  -


  • Too much smoked/salty/spicy foods in the diet

  • Smoking

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency

  • Eating foods contaminated by aflatoxin fungus

  • Too little intake of fruits/vegetables


Medical conditions make an individual more vulnerable to developing stomach cancer are -

  • Pernicious anaemia

  • Stomach polyps

  • Long-term stomach inflammation

  • Infection with helicobacter pylori


Apart from this, gender and a family history of stomach cancer also increase your risk of suffering from this type of cancer.

Types

According to Dr Sharma, ‘The different types of stomach cancer are as follows:

Adenocarcinoma: It occurs when the glandular cells lining the inside of the stomach develop abnormalities,

Lymphoma: This occurs when the immune cells contained in the walls of the stomach develop cancer,

Carcinoid Cancer: It develops in the hormone producing cells

Gastointestinal Stromal Tumour: This type of cancer affects specific nervous system cells found in the stomach

Of the aforementioned types of cancer, adenocarcinoma is the most common and affects a sizeable majority of all stomach cancer patients.’

Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms that most people suffering from stomach cancer experience include –


  • Lethargic feeling

  • Bloating

  • Loss of appetite

  • Indigestion

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Stomach Pain

  • Severe weight loss

Diagnosis

‘Diagnosis of stomach cancer is usually done by endoscopy and imaging tests like CT scan, PET scan etc. Barium swallow test, where the patient is made to drink thick viscous liquid called barium, is also used to determine any contusions in the stomach lining. In certain cases, the doctors may also opt for an exploratory laparoscopic surgery to check if the cancer has progressed beyond the stomach within the abdomen,’ says Dr Sharma.

Treatment

Treatment and management of stomach cancer varies depending on the stage of the cancer. It is mainly aimed to reduce the size of the tumor or surgically remove it.


  • For early stage tumours limited to the inside lining of the stomach, endoscopic mucosal resection is utilised to remove the cancer from the stomach.

  • Partial removal of stomach (subtotal gastrectomy) and complete removal of stomach (total gastrectomy) are used in case advance stage cancers.


Radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are also utilised in conjunction to treat stomach cancers. Targeted drugs containing TRASTUZUMAB, IMANITIB and SUNITINIB are also utilised for treating stomach cancer.

Complications

Dr Sharma says, ‘If left untreated, stomach cancer can lead to many complications such as nausea, pain, difficulty swallowing, bleeding, weight loss and vomiting. Furthermore, it may spread to liver and cause fever, jaundice and other liver related troubles.’

Prevention

Patients with stomach cancer should opt for major lifestyle changes such as –


  • Cutting back on foods with high oil/salt content, smoking, drinking etc;

  • Including high fibre food such as fruits and vegetables could also help relieve some symptoms of stomach cancer.

  • Exercising on a regular basis to be physically active


Apart from this, it is advisable for the patients to partake smaller meals throughout the day instead of three heavy meals to help the digestive system work properly.

 

The content has been verified by Dr. J.B. Sharma, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Delhi based Action Cancer Hospital.

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