What is Stomach Cancer? What are the symptoms and treatment methods?

What is Stomach Cancer? What are the symptoms and treatment methods?
Stomach cancer is caused by abnormal division of cells in the stomach. The stomach is a muscular organ located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, just below the ribs.

Stomach cancer is caused by abnormal division of cells in the stomach. The stomach is a muscular organ located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, just below the ribs. Food taken by mouth is delivered to the stomach through the esophagus. Foods that reach the stomach can be kept in the stomach for a while. They are then destroyed and digested.

The stomach consists of four parts: "cardia", which is called the stomach door to which the esophagus connects, "fundus", which is the upper part of the stomach, "corpus", which is the body of the stomach, and "pylorus", which connects the stomach to the small intestine.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can originate from any part of the stomach. In most parts of the world, the most common place for stomach cancer is the body of the stomach. However, in the United States, the most common place where stomach cancer begins is the gastroesophageal junction, where the stomach and esophagus connect.

Stomach cancer is a slowly progressing disease. It mostly occurs in people between the ages of their late 60s and 80s.

What are the Types of Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer originates from the glandular cells covering the inner surface of the stomach in 95% of cases. Stomach cancer can progress and spread to the stomach wall and even to the blood or lymphatic circulation.

Stomach cancer is named according to the cell from which it originates. Some common stomach cancers are as follows:

  • Adenocarcinoma : It is the most common type of stomach cancer. A tumor forms from the glandular structure covering the inner surface of the stomach.
  • Lymphoma : It originates from lymphocyte cells that take part in the immune system.
  • Sarcoma : It is a type of cancer that originates from fatty tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue or blood vessels.
  • Metastatic cancer : It is a type of cancer that occurs as a result of the spread of other cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer or melanoma to the stomach, and the primary cancer tissue is not in the stomach.

Other types of stomach cancer, such as carcinoid tumor, small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are less common.

What are the Causes of Stomach Cancer?

The mechanism that triggers the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells in the stomach and causes cancer is not fully known. However, it has been determined that there are some factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer.

One of these is the H.pylori bacteria, which can cause a common asymptomatic infection and ulcers in the stomach. Gastritis, defined as inflammation of the stomach, pernicious anemia, which is a long-lasting type of anemia, and polyps, which are structures protruding from the stomach surface, increase this risk. Other factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer are listed below:

  • To smoke
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Consuming too much smoked and salty foods
  • Consuming too much pickle
  • Drinking alcohol regularly
  • Having stomach surgery due to ulcer
  • A blood group
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection
  • Some genes
  • Working in the coal, metal, timber or rubber industry
  • Asbestos exposure
  • Having someone in the family with stomach cancer
  • Having Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC)-Lynch Syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Stomach cancer begins with changes in the DNA, the genetic material, of the cells in the stomach. These changes allow cancer cells to divide and survive very quickly while healthy cells die. Over time, cancer cells combine and destroy healthy tissue. Thus, it can spread to other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

The most common symptom of stomach cancer is weight loss. The patient loses 10% or more of his body weight in the last 6 months. The following symptoms can be considered early signs of stomach cancer:

  • Indigestion
  • Feeling bloated after eating
  • Burning sensation in the chest
  • Mild nausea
  • Loss of appetite

Symptoms such as indigestion or a burning sensation in the chest alone do not indicate cancer. However, if the complaints are too many and more than one symptom is observed, the patient is examined for stomach cancer risk factors and some tests may be requested.

As the tumor size increases, complaints become more serious. In the later stages of stomach cancer, the following serious symptoms may occur:

  • Stomache ache
  • Seeing blood in the stool
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss for no apparent reason
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Yellowish eye whites and yellowish skin color
  • Swelling in the stomach
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Pain in chest

The complaints listed above are more serious and require consultation with a doctor.

How is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?

There is no screening test for stomach cancer. There has been a decrease in the number of stomach cancer cases in the last 60 years. However, people with a family history or syndromes that pose a risk for stomach cancer should go for routine check-ups. The patients medical history is taken and a physical examination begins.

If the doctor deems it necessary, he may request some tests such as the following:

  • Tumor Markers: Blood level of substances known as cancer markers (CA-72-4, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 19-9)
  • Endoscopy: The stomach is examined with the help of a thin and flexible tube and a camera.
  • Upper Gastrointestinal System Radiograph: The patient is given a chalky liquid called barium and the stomach is visualized directly on the radiograph.
  • Computed Tomography: It is an imaging device that creates detailed images with the help of X-ray rays.
  • Biopsy: A sample is taken from the abnormal tissue of the stomach and examined pathologically. The definitive diagnosis is biopsy and the type of cancer is determined by the pathology result.

Stages of Stomach Cancer

The most important factor determining stomach cancer treatment is the stages of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer stages; It is determined by the size of the tumor, whether it has spread to the lymph node, or whether it has spread to a place other than the stomach.

Stomach cancer is a type of cancer often called adenocarcinoma and starts in the stomach mucosa. The stages of stomach cancer help determine the extent of cancer spread and treatment options. Staging generally uses the TNM system. This system is based on the parameters Tumor (tumor), Node (lymph node) and Metastasis (spread to distant organs). The stages of stomach cancer are:

Stomach Cancer Stage 0 Symptoms

Stage 0 : It is the presence of unhealthy cells that have the potential to turn into cancer cells in the epithelial layer covering the inner surface of the stomach. Cure is achieved by surgically removing part or all of the stomach. Along with the stomach, the lymph nodes near the stomach, which are an important part of the immune system in our body, are also removed.

At this stage, the cancer only affects cells in the lining of the stomach and has not yet spread to deeper tissues or lymph nodes.

In stage 0 (Tis N0 M0) of stomach cancer, the cancer has only affected cells in the lining of the stomach and has not yet spread to deeper tissues or lymph nodes. Therefore, the symptoms of cancer at this stage are usually mild.

Stomach Cancer Stage 1 Symptoms

Stage 1: In this stage, there are cancer cells in the stomach and may have spread to the lymph nodes. As in stage 0, part or all of the stomach and the lymph nodes in the nearby area are removed with surgery. Chemotherapy or chemoradiation may be added to treatment before or after surgery.

When done before surgery, it reduces the size of the cancer and allows it to be removed by surgery, and when done after surgery, it is used to kill the remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Chemotherapy is drugs that aim to kill cancer cells. In addition to drugs, chemoradiotherapy aims to kill cancer cells by using the high energy of radiation with radiotherapy.

In stage 1 of stomach cancer (T1 N0 M0), the cancer has spread to the surface or lower layer of the stomach wall, but has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. Symptoms at this stage may be similar to stage 0, but there may be some additional symptoms that indicate the cancer has spread to a more advanced stage.

Stomach Cancer Stage 1 Symptoms;

  • Stomach pain and discomfort
  • Indigestion or nausea
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Bloody stool or vomit
  • Tiredness

Stomach Cancer Stage 2 Symptoms

Stage 2 : Cancer has spread to the deeper layers of the stomach and lymph nodes. Similar to stage 1 treatment, the main treatment in stage 2 consists of pre- or post-surgical chemoradiotherapy and surgery.

Stomach Cancer Stage 2 Symptoms;

  • Swelling in lymph nodes
  • Tiredness
  • Bloody stool or vomit
  • Indigestion and nausea
  • Appetite and weight loss

Stomach Cancer Stage 3 Symptoms

Stage 3 : Cancer has spread to all layers of the stomach and nearby organs such as the spleen and colon. With surgery, the entire stomach is removed and chemotherapy is given. However, although this treatment does not provide a definitive cure, it relieves the patients symptoms and pain.

Stomach Cancer Stage 3 Symptoms;

  • Jaundice
  • Worsening anemia
  • Swelling in lymph nodes
  • Tiredness
  • Bloody stool or vomit
  • Indigestion and nausea
  • Appetite and weight loss

Stomach Cancer Stage 4 Symptoms

Stage 4 : Cancer has spread to organs that are distant from the stomach, such as the brain, lungs and liver. It is much more difficult to provide a cure, the aim is to alleviate the symptoms.

Stomach Cancer Stage 4 Symptoms;

  • Stomach pain and discomfort
  • Indigestion or nausea
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Bloody stool or vomit
  • Tiredness
  • Jaundice
  • Worsening anemia
  • Swelling in lymph nodes
  • Breathing problems

How is Stomach Cancer Treated?

Treatment for stomach cancer varies depending on the patients general health condition. Stomach cancer treatment usually involves one or more methods. Commonly used methods for stomach cancer treatment are as follows.

Surgery: It is a frequently used method in the treatment of stomach cancer. Surgical intervention is the removal of the tumor. This method involves removing the entire stomach (total gastrectomy) or only part of it (partial gastrectomy).

Radiotherapy: It is used to kill cancer cells or control their growth by using high-energy rays. Radiotherapy may be used before or after surgery, or in cases where the cancer has spread.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells or control their growth.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Stomach Cancer?

Some of the precautions that can be taken to prevent stomach cancer are listed below:

  • Quit smoking
  • Getting treated if you have a stomach ulcer
  • Eating a healthy diet with fiber-rich foods
  • Not consuming alcohol
  • Using medications such as painkillers and aspirin carefully

If you have severe stomach problems or serious complaints such as seeing blood in your stool or losing weight quickly, it is recommended that you consult a health institution and get support from specialist physicians.

Is Stomach Cancer Surgery Risky?

Stomach cancer surgery, like any surgical intervention, involves risks. However, surgery risks may vary depending on the patients general health, the stage of the cancer, and the type of surgery. Therefore, the risks and benefits of stomach cancer surgery should be evaluated according to the patients condition. Potential risks of stomach cancer include;

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Anesthesia complications
  • Organ damage
  • Wound healing problems
  • Feeding problems
  • There are various risks such as different complications.

What is Good for Stomach Cancer?

There is no direct therapy to treat or cure a serious condition like stomach cancer. However, a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet reduce the risk of stomach cancer and also support the treatment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

The most common symptom of stomach cancer is weight loss. The patient loses 10% or more of his body weight in the last 6 months. Among the early symptoms of stomach cancer: indigestion, feeling bloated after eating, burning sensation in the chest, mild nausea and loss of appetite.

Is There a Chance of Surviving Stomach Cancer?

The chances of survival for a person diagnosed with stomach cancer depend on a number of factors. Among these factors; These include the stage of the cancer, response to treatment, the patients general health condition, age, gender, nutritional status and other medical conditions. Stomach cancer diagnosed in the early stages usually has a better prognosis because it responds better to treatment.

Are the Symptoms of Stomach and Colon Cancer the Same?

Stomach cancer (stomach adenocarcinoma) and colon cancer (colorectal cancer) are two separate types of cancer that affect different organ systems. Although both types of cancer belong to the intestinal system, their symptoms often differ.

Where is Stomach Cancer Pain Felt?

Stomach cancer pain is usually felt in the stomach area. However, the specific location where the pain is felt and its characteristics vary from person to person.