STOMACH CANCER
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops in the lining of the stomach.
- It’s the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
- In 2020, an estimated 1.1 million people were diagnosed with stomach cancer. (WHO)
- It is more common in males, with 66% of all cases occurring in men.
- Its incidence and mortality increase with age. It’s rare in individuals younger than 45 years.
Overview
Stomach cancer is a malignant tumour of the stomach. The cancer may spread from the stomach to other parts of the body, particularly in the liver, lungs, bones, lining of the abdomen, and lymph nodes. So, the sooner the treatment begins, the better are the chances of recovery.
Stomach cancer develops when cells in the stomach lining, specifically the mucosa, begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. It can start in any part of the stomach. The uncontrolled growth is often triggered by genetic mutations in the DNA of these cells (which occurs during cell division), leading to rapid cell multiplication and survival beyond their normal lifespan.
Scope Of The Problem
Stomach cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated one million new cases and 769,000 deaths in 2020. While it may be rare in some countries, it remains a significant health concern globally.
Incident rays are particularly high in Asia and eastern Europe. It is more common in older individuals (>45 years).
The survival rate may be as high as 70% and as low as 5%.
Risk Factors
Male genders of age above 65 years are at higher risks of getting diagnosed with stomach cancer. In females, 1 in 126 women have the chance of developing stomach cancer.
Certain factors increase the risk for stomach cancer like:
- Increasing age
- A family history of the disease
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Pernicious anaemia (caused by the lack of vitamin B-12.
- Previous stomach surgery
Intake of a lot of salty, smoked or pickled foods and low in fruits and vegetables is linked to a higher risk.
Long term infection with helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for stomach cancer, particularly in the lower and middle part of the stomach.
Working with specific chemicals or in certain industries, like rubber protection, may also increase the risk.
Signs and Symptoms
Early stage of gastric cancer rarely causes symptoms. Many a times, it is not identified until they have grown fairly large or have spread outside the stomach.
The symptoms can include:
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss (without trying)
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel
- Feeling full after eating only a small meal
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting, with or without blood
- Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen
- Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
- Feeling tired or weak, as a result of having too few red blood cells (anemia)
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), if the cancer spreads to the liver
These symptoms can be caused by other things like ulcer or a viral infection. It can also be caused by other types of cancer. If these symptoms begin to show and don’t go away, you need to see a doctor. If it is too late, it may spread to other parts like liver, lungs, bones, lining of the abdomen, and lymph nodes.
Endoscopy is the first stage of detecting stomach cancer. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light into the stomach to visually examine the lining and identify any abnormalities, such as potential cancerous areas.
Blood tests, and fecal occult blood test (FOBT) are also ways of detecting stomach cancer.
Stages of Cancer
The different stages of stomach cancer are-
Stage 1
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Stage IA: Cancer which originated in the mucosa and has propagated to submucosa
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Stage IB: -When cancer originating in the mucosa has spread to submucosa and 1-2 lymph nodes
-Cancer originating in the mucosa has proliferated to muscle layers
Stage 2
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Stage IIA: -Cancer has proliferated from submucosa to 3-6 lymph nodes
-Cancer has propagated from muscle layer to 1-2 lymph nodes -Cancer has proliferated to the subserosa -
Stage IIB: -Cancer has proliferated from submucosa to 7-15 lymph nodes
-Cancer has propagated from muscle layer to 3-6 lymph nodes -Cancer has proliferated to subserosa and 1-2 lymph nodes -Cancer has propagated to serosa
Stage 3
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Stage IIIA: -Cancer has proliferated from muscle layer to 7-15 lymph nodes
-Cancer has propagated from subserosa to 3-6 lymph nodes -Cancer has proliferated to serosa and 1-6 lymph nodes -Cancer has propagated to nearby organs -
Stage IIIB: -Cancer has proliferated to submucosa, muscle layer or 16+ lymph nodes
-Cancer has propagated to subserosa, serosa, 7-15 lymph nodes -Cancer has proliferated to nearby organs -
Stage IIIC: -Cancer has proliferated to subserosa, serosa, 16+ lymph nodes
-Cancer has spread to nearby organs
Stage 4
Cancer has proliferated to different body parts like lungs, liver, lymph nodes, and abdomen wall. It is also known as metastatic cancer.
Treatment
It may include different types of treatment. Factors such as stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your preferences will be taken into consideration before the treatment begins.
The different types of treatment are:
- Endoscopic mucosal resection:
- It is a procedure that uses an endoscope to remove carcinoma in situ and early-stage cancer from the lining of the digestive tract.
- Surgery:
- It is the most common treatment for cancer. The type of surgery depends on where the cancer is located.
- Gastrectomy:
- It is the removal of part or all of the stomach. It is the main surgery for stomach cancer.
- Endoluminal stent placement:
- It is done when the tumor blocks the passage into or out of the stomach. The surgeon places a stent from the oesophagus to the stomach or from the stomach to the small intestine to help the patient to eat normally.
- Gastrojejunostomy:
- It is the removal of the part of the stomach with cancer that is blocking the opening into the small intestine. Then the surgeon connects the stomach to the jejunum to allow food and medicine to pass from the stomach into the small intestine.
- Radiation therapy:
- This process uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
- Chemotherapy:
- This process uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. The drugs are injected into a vein or given by mouth. This way the drugs reach cancer cells throughout the body.
The prognosis (outlook) for stomach cancer depends heavily on the stage at which it's detected and treated. Early-stage stomach cancer has a very good prognosis, with high cure rates, while advanced stages, especially with distant metastasis, have a significantly lower prognosis.
Foods and Diet
It is advised to eat the following kinds of food:
- Eating small, easily digestible (cooked vegetables, fruits, white rice, and low-fiber starches) meals throughout the day
- Calorie-dense foods: Avocados, nut butter, and olive oil to help with weight management.
- Fluid-rich foods: Soups, broths, watermelon, and oranges to ensure hydration and manage nausea.
- Antioxidant-rich foods: Berries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens, which are rich in phytonutrients and beneficial for immune response.
It is advised to avoid the following kinds of food:
- Processed and high-salt foods, and spicy, acidic, fatty foods. Red meat with high levels of heme iron in red meat may increase the risk of stomach cancer.
- High-fibre foods like whole grains can be harder to digest and may cause bloating.
- Added sugars and alcohol
Conclusion
Stomach cancer is a serious disease with complex causes, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While early detection and treatment can improve outcomes, the prognosis varies depending on the stage and individual characteristics. Research continues to focus on understanding the disease better, developing more effective treatments, and improving prevention strategies. If one shows serious symptoms of stomach cancer, he/she should immediately see a doctor and get himself/herself checked up. Through awareness, check-ups, and research, we can make a significant change in our fight against cancer and ensure better lives for everyone.
FAQs:
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Is stomach cancer hereditary?
It is possible that stomach cancer is hereditary however such an occurrence is rare and uncommon. Although, if you have a family member with history of gastric cancer, it is advisable to consult a doctor for future tests.
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Can stomach cancer be cured?
Stomach cancers are curable but it depends almost entirely on the tumor’s stage. Early stage tumors are removable through surgery, while chemotherapy along with surgery might be more suitable while treating more advanced tumors.
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Does stomach cancer spread very fast?
Stomach cancers metastasize or proliferate to different parts of the body without any symptoms. They are usually diagnosed at a very advanced stage, when symptoms become noticeable.
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What is the most vulnerable age for stomach cancer?
Common age of diagnosis is 65+
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What causes stomach cancer?
Most stomach cancers are spontaneous and sudden. Risk factors include smoking, eating preserved food and H. pylori infection.
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What are the common symptoms?
Symptoms include feeling fullness after meal, nausea, vomiting, blood in stool , or anemia.
Sources
Stages: https://www.cancer.gov/types/stomach/stages
FAQs: https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/understanding-stomach-cancer-faqs