Signs of Stomach Cancer: We all feel stomachaches that can’t be characterized as stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is one of the rare cancer types nonetheless dangerous and life-threatening diseases and also known as gastric cancer.
In the early stage, it may difficult to diagnose the symptoms due to the symptoms are quite common and most of the people come to know they have cancer in the last stage.
Though it is difficult to recognize the early symptoms and diagnosed when reached in the advanced stage still you must have the knowledge about stomach cancer so let’s take a look the signs of stomach cancer in detail:-
1. Sudden Weight Loss:
Sudden weight loss is the most common signs of stomach cancer. The NCI National Cancer Institute has announced that there are no proper and exact symptoms available for stomach cancer.
But as they have noticed that sudden weight loss is one of the symptoms of stomach cancer.
You may lose weight without doing any effort or dieting. You will lose all of your glow and energy and if you notice it immediately contact an expert.
2. Constant Heartburn:
Heartburn is a normal thing and we all feel after eating oily food or junk food and after sometimes we feel okay.
If you notice regular heartburn that stays for more than two weeks and may be an indication of something is not right with your stomach.
Don’t avoid the indications that your body is giving you.
3. Vomiting and Nausea:
Now, this is also a common health issue and a number of reasons are responsible for vomiting and nausea. But on the other side, if you are having blood while vomiting and feeling nausea every time without any reason you must ask your doctor for the examination because bleeding vomits is also a signs of stomach cancer.
4. Loss of Appetite:
In any kind of disease and discomfort we lose the appetite and stomach cancer is also one of them. You may suddenly feel lose of appetite and abdominal discomfort that is constantly bothering you.
You want to eat but you don’t feel much hungry even if you are eating very little.
5. Bleeding in stool:
Bleeding stool and persistent changes in the digestive system is also a major sign of stomach cancer. It is due to the thickening lumps in the inner and outer layer of the abdomen that is affecting the intestine and causing blood while stool passing.
If you notice this symptom that stays for a long time or returns again and again you must visit your doctor and after doing some tests the disease can be revealed and treated on time.
6. Unnecessary Frequent Bloating:
Bloating is also considered a common problem and millions of people feel bloated after eating anything or just like that.
If you feel constant and frequent bloating and heaviness in the stomach that disturbs your whole routine you must concern for your health.
If you are doing any effort to remove bloating but still, all efforts look waste of time you must consult and stomach experts because it is also a common signs of stomach cancer.
7. Excess Tiredness:
You will certainly feel serious tiredness and lack of energy. During stomach cancer, you may lose red blood cells and your body is fighting with bacteria and you can become anemic.
Slowly you feel fatigued and stressed. You can’t concentrate on your work and the domestic chores that you do easily and never ignore these symptoms and quickly ask an expert.
8. Feel full even Eating Small Meals:
Lack of appetite is another thing and even your diet was good and suddenly you feel full even you haven’t eaten that much. And this condition stays for a long time even trying to eliminate this you must concern about your health.
9. Stomach Pain:
Stomach pain is also common and we all face it many times. But if you feel constant stomach pains especially the above part of navel it can be a sign of tumor growth and influencing the other parts.
You mustn’t ignore this symptom and ask for a diagnosis.
Be sure to read: How to Prevent Acid Reflux Naturally
Stomach Cancer Causes:
Though your medical history may reveal about the causes of cancer even as some lifestyle factors are also responsible:-
- Obesity
- H. pylori infection
- Eating too much-processed food
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking and drinking
- Eating excess meat
- People with a past family history of cancer
Types of stomach cancer:
1. Adenocarcinoma:
This is the most common form of stomach cancer. The stomach is divided into 5 parts, cardia, fundus, body, antrum, and pylorus.
These are formed in the innermost lining of the stomach.
2. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST):
These tumors can be formed in any part of the digestive tract but are most commonly seen in the stomach. GIST can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
In GISTs, the interstitial cells of Cajal start multiplication forming tumors.
3. Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors:
This type of stomach cancer develops in the hormone-producing cells. Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors are of 3 types Type I, II and III ECL-cell carcinoids.
Type III ECL-cell carcinoids are the most intense form of the disease that produces carcinoid syndrome that is characterized by flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constriction of the bronchial tubes, valve dysfunction, etc.
4. Lymphoma:
Lymphocytes play a major role in immunity and fighting infections. These cells can turn malignant resulting in lymphoma. It can be found in the wall of the stomach.
5. Rare forms of stomach cancers:
The stomach can be germination point for different skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma
Stomach Cancer Stages:
The stages of the stomach cancer relevant to the size of the tumor and has affected the other organs or not like lungs, brain, and liver.
There are four stages of stomach cancer and basic elaboration of the stages are:-
Stage 0:
The cancerous cells are in the inner lining or developing in the inner layers.
Stage 1 and 2:
The cancerous cells started growing in all 5 layers of the abdomen.
Stage 3:
The tumor has spread in the lymph nodes or not.
Stage 4:
The tumor has spread the other organs like lungs, liver, and brain and the protective lining of the stomach.
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The staging process:
Medical staging:
It includes all the required examinations and tests and biopsies.
Pathological staging:
It contains the surgical process of tumor removal and the accuracy of stomach cancer.
Post-therapy:
The results have been indicated how the patient is recovering after radiation or chemotherapy process.
Restaging:
If cancer returns after the treatment what the best treatment can be provided to the patient.
How Stomach Cancer is Detected:
After confirmation of gastric cancer, the next step is to identify the stage of the disease to plan the treatment and analysis of survival rates.
Endoscopy:
A pipe with a camera is swallowed through your throat into the stomach. The doctors observe for any suspicious development, a piece of tissue can be collected for biopsy.
The tissue is grown in lab conditions to identify the nature of growth benign or malignant.
2. Imaging Tests:
Computerized tomography (CT) scans and barium X-ray exam is performed to look for gastric cancer.
3. PET:
The stage of cancer can be determined with positron emission tomography (PET). A radioactive substance is injected that create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body.
4. Laparoscopy:
A small incision is made on the abdomen to analyze the tumor growth.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A dye is injected in the veins to analyze the size of the tumor
Stomach cancer prognosis
Early diagnosis and treatment can have a 5-year survival rate in 69% of people suffering from cancer.
If cancer has spread through muscle layers and connective tissues, surrounding organs, and lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 31%.
If cancer has spread to distal parts of the body the survival rate is about 5%.
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Stomach Cancer Treatment:
The treatment of gastric cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the spread of the infection. The treatment can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medications, etc.
Surgery is also performed to remove a part or complete stomach. The surgeon may perform Endoscopic mucosal resection, Subtotal gastrectomy, and total gastrectomy.
In radiotherapy radioactive rays kill cancerous cells. Your doctor may perform radiation therapy with chemotherapy for the treatment. Immunotherapy and targeted medications are also prescribed.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer occurs due to abnormal multiplication of cells and it can be classified based on TNM (Tumor, Nodes, and Metastasis).
The symptoms of gastric cancer include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and unintentional weight loss. CT scan, PET scan, MRI and biopsy are performed to analyze the stage of the disease and identify the course of the treatment.
The treatment of which includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and other targeted medications.
Final Words:
The good news is that stomach cancer is still a rare type of disease but yes, it has affected thousands of people in the last year.
The symptoms are also common and many other factors can be responsible for them but we will strictly suggest that never underestimate any disease otherwise carelessness can be dangerous for your life.
In the early stages, stomach cancer can be treated but if it spread in the other parts of the body it is very difficult to beat this.
We hope this information would be helpful for you. Don’t worry much and accept a healthy routine. Listen to your body and react accordingly and stay healthy and fit that’s our only effort.
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