Stomach Cancer
Everything You Need To Know About Stomach Cancer
Cancer begins when cells in the body begin to get out of control. Cells in almost every part of the body can become cancerous and then spread to other parts of the body. For more information about cancer and how it develops and spreads, see What is cancer?
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, begins when the cells in the stomach begin to get out of control.
Stomach
To understand stomach cancer treatment, it is helpful to know the normal structure and function of the stomach.
The stomach is a sac-shaped organ and an important part of the digestive system.
After chewing and swallowing food, it enters the esophagus, a tube that transports food to the stomach through the throat and chest. The esophagus connects to the stomach at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction, which is just below the transverse diaphragm (the thin slice of respiratory muscle under the lung). Then, the stomach begins to digest food by secreting gastric juice. The food is mixed with gastric juice and then poured into the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.
Some people use the word “stomach” to refer to the abdomen. Best Stomach cancer doctor, the medical term for this area is the abdomen. For example, some people who have pain in the area will say they have “stomach pain” when in fact the pain may come from other organs in the area. Doctors call this symptom “abdominal pain” because the stomach is just one of many organs in the abdomen.
Stomach cancer is different from other cancers that may occur in the abdomen, such as colon cancer or rectal cancer (large intestine), liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, or small intestine cancer. These cancers may have different symptoms, different perspectives and different treatments.
Parts of the stomach
The stomach has 5 parts.
The first three parts make up the proximal stomach:
Cardia: The first part, closest to the esophagus
Fundus: the upper part of the stomach next to the door
Body (corpus): The main part of the stomach, between the upper and lower parts
Some cells in these parts of the stomach produce acid and pepsin (a digestive enzyme), which combine to form gastric juice that helps digest food. They also produce a protein called intrinsic factor, which the body needs to absorb vitamin B12.
The next two parts make up the distal stomach:
Antrum: Lower part (near the small intestine), where food and gastric juice mix
Pylorus: The last part of the stomach, used as a valve to control the discharge of stomach contents into the small intestine
Other organs near the stomach include the small intestine, colon, liver, spleen, and pancreas.
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Other type of Cancer
The stomach wall has 5 layers
The innermost layer is the mucosa. This is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made. Most stomach cancers start in this layer.
Next is the support layer called the submucosa.
The outside of it is the muscularis propria, which is a thick layer of muscle that helps move and mix the contents of the stomach.
The outer two layers, the subserous layer and the outermost serous membrane, wrap the stomach.
These levels are important for determining the stage (degree) of cancer, which may affect a person’s treatment options and prognosis (appearance). As the cancer progresses from the mucosa to deeper layers, this stage becomes more advanced and may require more extensive treatment.
Development of stomach cancer
Stomach cancer often progresses slowly over many years. best stomach cancer treatment doctor in Delhi Before real cancer develops, cancer usually occurs on the lining of the stomach (mucosa). These early changes rarely cause symptoms and are therefore often undetected.
Cancers that start in different parts of the stomach can cause different symptoms and often have different results The location of the cancer also affects the treatment plan. For example, cancers that begin or grow to the GE junction are usually staged and treated the same as esophageal cancer. (For more information, see Esophageal Cancer.)
Types of stomach cancer
Adenocarcinoma
Most stomach cancers (about 90% to 95%) are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the glandular cells in the innermost layer of the stomach (mucosa).
If you are told that you have stomach cancer (or stomach cancer), it is almost always adenocarcinoma. The information on gastric cancer on the following pages refers to this type of cancer.
There are 2 main types of gastric adenocarcinoma
The prognosis of intestinal type tends to be slightly better (appearance). Cancer cells are more likely to have certain genetic changes that may allow treatment with targeted drug therapies.
Diffusion types tend to spread faster. It is less common than intestinal types and tends to be more difficult to treat.
Other types of cancer that may start in the stomach
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Neuroendocrine tumors (including carcinoids)
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) start in the cells of the stomach (or other parts of the digestive tract), and in some respects function as nerve cells, and in other respects function as hormone-producing (endocrine) cells. Most NETs tend to grow slowly and will not spread to other organs, but some can grow and spread quickly. NET is discussed in more detail in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors.
Lymphoma
These cancers start in immune system cells called lymphocytes. Lymphoma usually starts in other parts of the body, but some may start in the stomach wall. The treatment and prospects of these cancers depend on the type of lymphoma and other factors. For more information, see Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Other cancers
Other types of cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma, can also start in the stomach, but these cancers are very rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stomach cancer is when cancer cells develop in your stomach’s inner lining. These cells can develop into cancerous tumors. The disease is also known as gastric cancer. It usually develops slowly over many years. Most people who develop stomach cancer are in their 60s and 80s.
Nearly all stomach cancers (95%) originate in the glandular tissue. The tumor can spread along the stomach wall, or grow through it and shed cells into either the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Cancer can spread beyond the stomach to other organs.
Stomach cancer is not known to cause symptoms in its early stages. The most common signs of stomach cancer, such as weight loss or stomach pain, don’t show up until it is more advanced.
The following symptoms are indicative of stomach cancer:
- Appetite loss
- Trouble swallowing
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Indigestion and heartburn.
- Black stool (poop) or vomiting blood.
- After eating, feeling bloated or gassy.
- Stomach pain is often more severe than your belly button.
- Even after eating a small snack or meal, you feel full.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes cancer cells to grow in the stomach. They do know that there are a few things that can increase your risk of developing the disease. H., a common bacteria, is one of these. H. pylori is a common bacteria that can cause ulcers. Inflammation inside your gut is called gastritis. A specific type of anemia known as pernicious anemia can also occur. Polyps and other growths in the stomach, which can increase your chances of getting cancer, are also possible.
The risk may also be increased by other factors, such as:
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Consuming a diet rich in salty, pickled, and smoked foods
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Stomach surgery to treat an ulcer
- Type-A blood
- Epstein-Barr virus infection
- Certain genes
- Work in the rubber, metal, and timber industries
- Asbestos Exposure
- Gastric cancer in the family
- Hereditary factors include familial adenomatous colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome, or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Although you cannot prevent stomach cancer, you can lower your risk by taking these steps:
- Treat H. pylori infection if you test positive. H. pylori infection can be a risk factor for stomach cancer.
- Gastritis, ulcers, and other stomach conditions should be treated immediately. You are at greater risk for stomach cancer if you don’t treat stomach conditions quickly, especially if H. Pylori bacteria cause them.
- Healthy. A healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables and low in red meats and salt can lower your risk of stomach cancer. Essential nutrients are found in vitamin C and beta-carotene foods, leafy green vegetables, carrots, and citrus fruits.
- Avoid using tobacco products or smoking. Tobacco smoking increases your risk for stomach cancer and other cancers.
- Keep a healthy weight. The definition of healthy weight will vary from one person to the next. Ask your provider to define healthy weight.
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