Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, usually happens in the central part of the stomach, and slowly it starts to spread to other body parts; in such cases, it can become out of control. It is believed that people with age 60 and above tend to develop stomach cancer.
However, as a word of caution, it is essential to note that stomach cancer might spread to other body organs outside the stomach, such as the liver, lungs, and brain.
The following are the types of Stomach Cancer:
Adenocarcinomas
Adenocarcinoma cancers are those which are found in the innermost lining of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
This type of cancer develops in the stomach walls and can grow in other areas or spread to other body parts.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
This type of cancer tends to develop in the stomach cells, mainly in parts of the digestive tract. This type of cancer usually does not spread to other organs.
Lymphomas
This cancer is found in the immune system, and it is essential to note that it can start in the stomach and other body parts.
What Causes Stomach Cancer?
Many factors can cause stomach cancer, such as a common bacteria causing ulcers, Inflammation in your gut called gastritis, and many more. Some of the common factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer have been highlighted below:
- Overweight and Obese
- Alcohol and Smoking
- A- Type Blood
- Certain genes
- Exposure to Coal, Metal, and Timber
- Past Family History
What are the symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, one of the most significant drawbacks of stomach cancer is that people usually don’t know that they have it until or unless it has reached some advanced stages. This is because many stomach cancer symptoms resemble ulcers, food poisoning, and stomach infection.
However, some people may experience some of the common symptoms of Stomach Cancer, as mentioned below:
- Indigestion and Frequent Heartburn
- Loss of Appetite and Bloating
- Excessive Fatigue
- Constant Abdominal pain
- Blood-stools
- Nausea and Vomiting
How to Treat Stomach Cancer?
You and your doctor need to know the exact stage of stomach cancer before starting the treatment. The stages of stomach cancer will be determined by how much the tumor has spread into your body. There are in total four stages of stomach cancer:
Stage Zero
In this stage, the inside lining of the stomach has clubbed itself into a group of unhealthy cells, forming the tumor. Hence, your doctor may perform surgery to remove cancer.
Stage One
In this stage, the tumor is in the stomach lining, and it may or may not have spread to any other body part or has not grown to a bigger size. Therefore, your doctor may perform surgery to remove all the regions where the tumor has spread.
Stage Two
In this stage, cancer might have spread into the inner sections of the stomach and maybe into nearby lymph. Hence, your doctor may perform surgery to remove parts where the tumor has reached or spread, and the doctor may likely recommend chemo.
Stage Three
In this stage, it may have happened that cancer has now reached all the layers of the stomach and other nearby organs; hence, the doctor may undergo surgery to remove the entire stomach or all the parts where cancer has spread. In such cases, you may have to go through chemo or chemoradiation to cure it properly.
Stage IV
In the last stage of cancer, it may have happened that cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the liver, lungs, and so on. In such cases, it may be difficult for the doctor to cure cancer. Hence doctor may provide you with treatment to help in get some relief from the symptoms.
Stomach cancer is usually treated after performing any of the following treatments.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
The type of treatment your doctor chooses will depend on factors such as age, health, vitals, and cancer stage.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals that have expertise in writing for healthcare. Suppose you see any issues related to digestion, abdominal pain, ulcers, IBS, stomach cancer, etc. We strictly advise you to seek medical consultation.
