What You Need To Know About Stomach Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, upwards of 27,000 people will receive a new gastric cancer diagnosis in the United States in 2020. Though the disease prevalence has decreased by roughly 1.5% over the past decade, it is still one of the world’s most common forms of cancer, showing up more commonly in older men above the age of 65 years old.
What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer – also known as stomach cancer – occurs when cells of the stomach lining mutate and begin to grow out of control. These mutated cells form malignant tumors, which can be deadly if left untreated. Like most forms of cancer, the risk of contracting gastric cancer is greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle factors.
Stages
Gastric cancer can be diagnosed as stage 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on the severity and spread of the disease. Lower numbers generally mean the disease is more easily treatable. Stage ‘0’ refers to “carcinoma in situ”, which means the cancerous cells have not spread to any other part of the stomach lining or other bodily tissues. Stage 4 gastric cancer refers to a situation in which affected cells have spread throughout the bloodstream or lymphatic system, causing tumors in other vital organs such as the liver or lungs.
Risk Factors
Certain medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. These include:
- Chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation)
- Pernicious anemia
- Intestinal metaplasia
- Gastric polyps
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stomach infections
- Epstein-Barr virus
Various lifestyle factors greatly increase the risk of contracting stomach cancer, such as:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- A diet rich in smoked or highly salted foods
- Low fiber diets
Early Signs and Symptoms
The earliest signs and symptoms of gastric cancer are relatively mild. Any persistent or worsening gastrointestinal disturbance should be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Common early warning signs include:
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Feeling bloated, especially after eating
- Discomfort in the stomach
- Indigestion
If the disease has progressed, sufferers may experience severe stomach pain, jaundice, weight loss, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and blood in the stool.
Treatment Options
The treatment options for gastric cancer vary based on the patient’s medical history and how far the disease has advanced. Surgery is usually the preferred treatment option for patients with stage 0 and stage 1, as affected cells have not yet spread to other areas of the body. When the cancer has spread to the outer stomach, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be used as a complimentary treatment alongside surgery. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are the preferred treatment options when stomach cancer has metastasized to other bodily tissues.
Discuss Concerns With Your Doctor
Make an appointment with your general practitioner if you are experiencing any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms and are concerned about gastric cancer. This type of cancer has a positive survival rate and is highly treatable, providing it is caught in the earlier stages.