Stomach Cancer Facts, Symptoms, Treatment

Although heartburn, indigestion, gastric trouble and stomach ache are common problems that everyone experiences from time to time, sometimes these can lead to serious health concerns. Before sharing detailed information about stomach cancer, let us understand it briefly.

Also known as gastric cancer, stomach cancer typically develops in the tissues that line the stomach. Abnormal growth of the cells in the gastric tissues leads to stomach cancer. As a result, these cells grow into a tumour, which can become malignant. To avoid reaching this condition, one should get a gastric cancer staging as soon as the symptoms of this disease are experienced.

What are some of the common symptoms of stomach cancer?

Many symptoms of stomach cancer can be mistaken for common gastrointestinal issues, which makes the detection difficult. Some of these symptoms include:

• Heartburn
• Stomach ache
• A bloated feeling, especially after eating
• Sudden unintended weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Blood in stool

If you are feeling one or more of these symptoms, you might have some issues, immediately consult a specialist.

Some more facts about stomach cancer:

• There are certain factors that contribute to the risk of stomach cancer. One of the major factors is diet, especially one that is rich in salt, processed foods, etc. Other factors are the use of alcohol and tobacco, the presence of ulcers or gastric polyps, anaemia and exposure to certain chemicals. Obesity, blood type A, genetic conditions, gender, age, ethnicity and family history also contribute to it.
• Stomach cancer treatment highly depends on the age and overall health of the patient, along with the full extent of the disease. After a gastric cancer staging, the doctor may advise for different treatment plans such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or even palliative care.
• Stomach cancers can be of different types, from gastric, to adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, lymphomas, stromal tumours or even carcinoid tumours. All of these affect the different parts of the stomach.
• The life expectancy for a cancer patient depends upon the stage they are in. According to studies conducted by experts, 65 percent of people with stage 1 stomach cancer and 35 percent of people in stage 2 have a survival rate of 5 years or more after their diagnosis. Furthermore, around 25 percent of people with stage 3 cancer survive for 5 years or more. In contrast, most people diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer do not survive for over a year.
• Infections of the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium is a major risk factor for stomach cancer. This bacterium is a common cause of peptic ulcers, which can significantly increase the chances of a person developing stomach cancer. The bacterium grows in the digestive tract and tends to infect the lining of the stomach. It is usually found in drinking water, seawater, certain vegetables as well as meat and animal products.
• Certain gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can also increase the chances of stomach cancer. In addition, being associated with ovarian and breast cancers, these gene mutations also increase the risks of other cancers, such as stomach, prostate, pancreas and colon.
• Stomach cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in different parts of the world, including the USA, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, among others.
• One of the best ways to prevent stomach cancer is to reduce the use of salts, pickles and smoking, in addition, increase the use of refrigeration to store food. A diet that is rich in fresh vegetables a2nd fruits can also lower the risk. Cutting down red meat, tobacco, alcohol, processed food can also be of help.

How can stomach cancer be treated?

Once you get the gastric cancer staging done and get a definitive diagnosis of stomach cancer, it is important to begin your treatment. Based on the stage, the common stomach cancer treatment methods may include:

• Surgery, that will treat cancer by removing part of the stomach that is infected. In some cases, the oncologist may also remove the entire stomach depending on the extent of the disease.
• Chemotherapy, where the oncologists will use a number of drugs and medicines to inhibit and subsequently control the growth of cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy, where high-energy X-Rays, laser rays or other types of radiation are used to kill the cancer cells and prevent their growth.
• Targeted therapy, which uses a combination of medicines to identify and target the specific cancer cells and kill them.
• Palliative care, where people with untreatable stomach care are given medical assistance and care.

Colon cancer symptoms and treatment

There are numerous symptoms of colon cancer. Here are the following colorectal cancer symptoms:-

• Persistent cramps or gas pain.
• Rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea.
• Fatigue.
• Unexplained loss of weight.
• Abdominal discomfort, change in the habits of bowel, constipation, diarrhea, or change in the consistency of the stool.

Takeaway

Dr. Rudra Acharya, one of the best cancer specialist in Delhi can be reached out when you are diagnosed with stomach cancer. Having over 20 years of experience in the field of GI, Thoracic and HPB oncology, Dr. Rudra has been associated with many cancer speciality hospitals all over India. He has also handled numerous complicated cancer cases with great success.

He is known for treating his patients with great care, in addition to curating personalised treatment plans for them, whilst maintaining their safety and comfort.

Dr. Rudra uses various modern techniques and equipment to treat stomach cancers. He also has a team of experienced surgeons and doctors who provide proper treatment to every single patient.