Gastric Cancer

What is Gastric Cancer?

Gastric cancer, also attribute to as stomach cancer, is lead by precancerous changes in the lining of the stomach. This cancer is the result of aggregation of malignant or cancerous group of cells that is responsible for developing a tumor anywhere in the stomach. Men are more acceptable to suffer from stomach cancer as compared to women. This cancer has also been seen in earlier community who are above 55 years of age.

Stomach Cancer Types

Tumor cells are responsible for determining the stomach cancer type. The different treatment options are determined by the type of cells in the stomach. Stomach cancer types are –

Cancer that starts in the apprehensive system tissue: The tumor that starts in particular cells of the nervous system that can be found in the stomach is known as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Cancer that starts in the glandular cells (Adenocarcinoma): Within the stomach, there are glandular cells that secrete a layer of mucus to protect the stomach lining from the acidic digestive juices. Adenocarcinoma is considered as the major type of stomach cancer.

Cancer that starts in hormone producing cells (Carcinoid Cancer): Hormone-producing cells are responsible for developing Carcinoid cancer.

Cancer that starts in immune system cells (Lymphoma): The presence of a little number of immune system at the stomach walls develops cancer.

Stomach Cancer Causes

Some of the causes include –

Smoke

Family history of gastric cancer

Have pernicious anemia

Have Helicobacter pylori (infection of the stomach by bacteria)

Swelling and inflammation in the stomach from a long time

Presence of a polyp in the stomach that is larger than 2cms

Stomach Cancer Symptoms

Some of the symptoms may include –

Heartburn

Stomach discomfort and indigestion

Loss of appetite

Mild nausea

A bloated feeling after eating

Some of the symptoms in advanced stages of stomach cancer are –

Stomach pain

Blood in the stool

Unexplained weight loss

Vomiting

Stages of Stomach Cancer

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): In this stage, cancer is present in the inner lining of the mucosal layer of the wall of the stomach.

Stage I: This stage is categorized into two stages- IA and IB that also depends on the spread of the cancer.

Stage IA: Here in this stage, the cancer has spread completely from the mucosal layer of the wall of the stomach.

Stage IB: Cancer has spread to the muscularis layer of the stomach wall or has completely spread from the mucosal layer of the stomach wall that can be found in almost 6 lymph nodes surrounding the tumor.

Stage II: In this stage, the cancer has spread –

To the serosal layer of the wall of the stomach but not to other organs or to lymph nodes

To the middle layer of the stomach wall and can be found in almost 6 lymph nodes surrounding the tumor, or

From the innermost layer of the wall of the stomach and can be found in 7-15 lymph nodes surrounding the tumor

Stage III: This stage is categorized into IIIA and IIIB that depend on the spread of the cancer. In stage IIIA, cancer has spread to –

Organs just next to the stomach that has not spread to other body parts or to lymph nodes

The middle layer of the wall of the stomach and can be found in 7-15 lymph nodes surrounding the tumor, or

The outermost layer (serosal) of the wall of the stomach and can be found in 1-6lymph nodes surrounding the tumor

Stage IV: Here in this stage, the cancer has spread to –

Different body parts

Organs just next to the stomach and to at least 1 lymph node, or

More than 15 lymph nodes

Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer

Some of the tests are performed for diagnosing gastric cancer that include –

Stool test for checking blood in the stools

Complete blood count (CBC) for checking anemia

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is performed along with biopsy for examining the stomach tissue. A tiny camera is used for looking the stomach from within

Treatment for Stomach Cancer

The treatment depends on the stage of the disease and how far the tumor has grown. The treatment options include –

Radiation Therapy : This therapy is combined with chemotherapy for treating stomach cancer.

Chemotherapy: This therapy uses cancer destroying drugs for treating stomach cancer. When the cancer has penetrated the stomach wall thickness neighboring the lymph nodes and nearby structure then chemotherapy is given. For shrinking the cancer first, chemotherapy is given before the surgery. It can also be given after the surgery for destroying the remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy can also be connected with radiation analysis that administer assuage from many cancer symptoms and can also delay the recurrence of the cancer.

Surgery : Surgery is treated as the most accepted treatment for gastric cancer. Any of these two options can be performed for removing the cancer –

Total Gastrectomy : Parts of the esophagus, tissue surrounding the tumor, entire stomach and small intestines are removed. A patient can continue to swallow and eat as here esophagus is connected with the small intestine

Subtotal Gastrectomy : Organs surrounding the tumor, part of the stomach containing cancer and parts of the tissues are removed.