Stomach Cancer
What Happens In Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the stomach. Smoking and a high-processed or salty-food diet are two risk factors. Early on in the course of stomach cancer, there may be no symptoms. Feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating tiny amounts of food, nausea, heartburn, or indigestion are some of the later symptoms.
Stomach cancer is defined by the proliferation of malignant cells within the stomach lining. This type of cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is difficult to identify because most people do not display symptoms in the early stages.
While stomach cancer is relatively uncommon in comparison to other cancers, one of the most serious risks is the difficulty in diagnosing it. Due to the lack of early signs, stomach cancer frequently goes untreated until it has spread to other areas of the body. This makes treatment more challenging. Though stomach cancer can be difficult to diagnose and cure, it’s critical to arm yourself with the knowledge you’ll need to defeat it.
Causes
The upper section of your digestive tract includes your stomach (along with the oesophagus). The stomach is in charge of digesting food and transporting nutrients to the rest of your digestive system, specifically the small and large intestines. Stomach cancer usually develops when healthy cells in the upper digestive tract turn malignant and proliferate uncontrollably, resulting in a tumour. This is a gradual process. Stomach cancer usually develops over a long period of time.
A genetic mutation (change) in the cells of the stomach is the main cause of stomach cancer, which causes the cells to grow fast and eventually form a tumour. Factors like, genetics, smoking, obesity, Helicobacter Pylori Bacterium Infection, a high-salt diet and a diet that is devoid of fresh fruits and vegetables, can raise a person’s chances of developing stomach cancer
Symptoms
Stomach cancer usually has no early warning signs or symptoms. Unfortunately, this means that many people are unaware that something is wrong until the cancer has progressed. The following are some of the most prevalent signs and symptoms of advanced stomach cancer:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite, sometimes accompanied by sudden weight loss
- Constant bloating
- Jaundice
- Frequent heartburn
- Early satiety
- Excessive fatigue
- Bloody stools
- Stomach pain, which may be worse after meals
Diagnosis
CT Scan: If the tumour is large enough, radiologic tests such as a CT scan, barium swallow, and MRI can assist discover an issue in the stomach.
Ultrasound: An endoscopic ultrasound, which employs a particular type of endoscope with an ultrasonic probe, is used to determine how much of the stomach wall a tumour involves and to assist estimate the cancer’s “stage.” Through the mouth, the endoscope is inserted into the stomach. The ultrasound probe can see how much of the stomach is affected by the tumour by looking through the surface of the stomach lining to the stomach wall beyond.
Endoscopy: An upper endoscopy is performed to collect a biopsy (sample) of the lesion in order to make a diagnosis or to detect early cancer before it grows large enough to be visible on radiologic tests. An upper endoscopy involves passing a thin tube with a small camera through the mouth and into the stomach, where samples of the tumour are taken.
Diagnosis
CT Scan: If the tumour is large enough, radiologic tests such as a CT scan, barium swallow, and MRI can assist discover an issue in the stomach.
Ultrasound: An endoscopic ultrasound, which employs a particular type of endoscope with an ultrasonic probe, is used to determine how much of the stomach wall a tumour involves and to assist estimate the cancer’s “stage.” Through the mouth, the endoscope is inserted into the stomach. The ultrasound probe can see how much of the stomach is affected by the tumour by looking through the surface of the stomach lining to the stomach wall beyond.
Endoscopy: An upper endoscopy is performed to collect a biopsy (sample) of the lesion in order to make a diagnosis or to detect early cancer before it grows large enough to be visible on radiologic tests. An upper endoscopy involves passing a thin tube with a small camera through the mouth and into the stomach, where samples of the tumour are taken.
Treatment
Surgery, medicine, radiation, and chemotherapy are all alternatives for treatment.
Surgeries:
- Radical Total Gastrectomy
- Radical Subtotal Gastrectomy