Stomach Cancer - Treatment & Symptom
Cancer of the stomach, also called gastric cancer, is a malignant tumor arising from the lining of the stomach. The bacteria is called Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, which is also thought to be the cause of some stomach ulcers. The location of the tumours within the stomach has also changed. If these tumors are cancerous, they can invade and kill your body's healthy tissues. From these tumors, cancer cells can metastasize (spread) and form new tumors in other parts of the body. Stomach cancer is very common in Japan and the Japanese have developed an intensive and effective approach to screening for stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is more readily treated when caught early. It can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus and the small intestine. Unfortunately, by the time it causes symptoms, the disease is often at an advanced stage and may have spread beyond the stomach. It also can metastasize to other parts of the body (e.g., lungs, ovaries, bones).
Causes of Stomach Cancer
The comman causes and risf factors of Stomach Cancer include the following:
- Hereditary.
- Atrophic changes in the stomach mucosa.
- Alcohol a higher risk for Stomach Cancer.
- Blood group A.
- Pernicious anemia.
- Some gastric polyps.
- Have several close relatives who have had stomach cancer.
- Secondary, from adjoining organs.
- Eat a lot of pickled or salty foods.
- Smoking is also a higher risk for Stomach Cancer.
- Having the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the stomach.
- Any kind of food that has been smoked, pickled or salted appears to increase the risk.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Some sign and symptoms related to Stomach Cancer are as follows:
- Indigestion.
- Abdominal discomfort, pain, nausea and vomiting.
- Bloated feeling.
- Tiredness due to anaemia (from bleeding from the wall of the stomach).
- Poor appetite, weight loss, anemia.
- Losing your appetite.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- B!ack coloured stools.
- Mass felt in upper part of the abdomen.
- Full feeling after meals, even when eating less than normal.
Treatment of Stomach Cancer
Here is list of the methods for treating Stomach Cancer:
- The most effective treatment is surgery and the sooner the disease is discovered, the better the chances of a complete recovery.
- Chemotherapy has recently been shown to be highly effective against some forms of stomach cancer and may help convert an inoperable tumour into an operable one.
- Very rarely radiotherapy may be used.
- Surgical removal (resection) is the only curative treatment.
- Biological therapy (natural substances produced by the body are used to boost the body's immune system to fight certain illnesses).
- In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved the anti-leukemia drug (Gleevec) to treat some gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
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