Stomach Cancer

About Stomach Cancer

Stomach is a muscular bag located in the upper part of the abdomen. Its function is to receive food from food pipe and break it down into smaller food particles for digestion. Any cancer appearing here would be called as stomach cancer. Stomach cancers are aggressive as they spread fast. With recent advancement in the management of the stomach cancer the survival has improved significantly.

Risk Factors are: Smoking and Alcoholare most important risk factors. Smoked foods, obesity, diet poor in fruits and vegetables, H ppylori infection, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and prolonged inflammation (Gastritis) are other risk factors for the development of stomach cancers.

What are the symptoms of Stomach Cancer?

The symptoms of Stomach Cancer are as follows:

• Indigestion which is not getting better with medications
• Heartburn
• Vomiting
• Feeling bloated after meals
• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blood in vomitus
• Black colored stools
• Anemia
• Weight loss

How is it diagnosed?

When any of the above symptoms occur, do consult your doctor who may prescribe the following tests:

• Upper GI Endoscopy: Used to look into the food pipe for the location of the tumor and biopsy the tumor.
• Biopsy: It is done to confirm the diagnosis
• CT scan/PET Scan: The scans are done to know the extent or the spread of the tumor and to assess the respectability of the tumor.

How the disease is treated?

The treatment is devised according to general health of the patient, type, location and stage of the tumors. It involves

Surgery: Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment. It involves removal of the part of the stomach bearing the tumor along with the regional Lymph nodes. The stomach removal(gastrectomy) can be of different types

• Total Gastrectomy: when whole of the stomach is removed and the small intestine joined directly to the food pipe.
• Partial Gastrectomy: when a part of the stomach is removed and the small intestine is joined to the remaining stomach. It can be distal or subtotal.

In early stage tumors which are limited to the mucosa of the stomach endoscopic removal can also be done.

The above mentioned surgeries are done with an open approach or minimal invasive approaches (Laparoscopic or Robotic).

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is usually given with radiotherapy. In some cases it is given before or after radiotherapy. Sometimes it may be used preoperatively to decrease the size of the tumors

Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy may be employed in certain higher stage tumors. It is usually combined with the chemotherapy.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: Targeted therapy is treatment specifically meant to attack specifics targets on tumor cells, thus leading to minimal harm to normal cells. Immunotherapy is meant to modulate the immune e system to increase cancer cell kill. Immunotherapy is usually reserved for advanced spread out tumors.

Tags: Stomach Cancer , symptoms of Stomach Cancer