Stomach Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Cancer is one of the deadliest chronic diseases that human beings have been fighting for years. It is a universal plague that can affect any part of the body. Cancer is competent to rapidly create abnormal cells that can grow beyond their usual boundaries, invade adjoining body parts, and spread to other organs. 

Gastric Cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a cellular abnormality that begins in the stomach (the stomach is located Just behind the ribs in the top middle of the belly  which helps with food digestion and breakdown) and it begins in any part of the stomach.

In 2020, stomach cancer accounted for approximately 1.1 million new cases worldwide and was the third leading cause of cancer mortality, accounting for nearly 800,000 deaths. Men are about twice as likely as women to have stomach cancer. About 90% to 95% of stomach malignancies are adenocarcinomas. The gland cells in the deepest layer of the stomach are where these tumours start to grow (the mucosa).

There are two main types of stomach adenocarcinomas. They are intestinal and diffuse types.

• The prognosis for intestinal types is marginally better (outlook). Certain gene modifications that might make it possible to treat cancer cells with targeted medication therapy are more likely to occur in cancer cells.
• The diffused form typically spreads more rapidly. It is less common than the intestinal type and is frequently more difficult to treat.

Gastrointestinal Stromal tumors (GISTs), neuroendocrine tumors, lymphomas, squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, and leiomyosarcomas can also start in the stomach, but these cancers are rare. 

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer 

Stomach cancer can be hard to find, and there are no symptoms in the early stage.

• Indigestion or burning sensation (heart burning)
• Discomfort or pain in the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea  or Constipation 
• Bloating of the stomach after meals
• Loss of appetite 
• Weakness and fatigue 
• Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool)

Causes of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is found most often in people over the age of fifty five, Scientists worldwide are trying to learn more about what causes this disease and prevention  but they could not find the exact reason for stomach cancer and the researchers speculate that genetic, environmental, infection and immunologic factors may contribute to the development of gastric cancer. They include:

• Family history of stomach cancer
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gastritis
• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• History of stomach ulcers or stomach polyps
• A diet high in fatty, salty, smoked, or pickled foods
• A diet that does not include certain fruits and vegetables
• Frequent exposure to substances like coal, metal, and rubber
• Smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Obesity
• Autoimmune atrophic gastritis

There are considerable amounts of hereditary disorders linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer, including

• Lynch syndrome.
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis.
• Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.
• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

People with Type A blood have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer, though it is unclear why.

Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer

The diagnosis of stomach cancer is based on a thorough clinical examination, a detailed patient and family history, and a variety of specialized testing.

Imaging procedures, including CT scans, MRIs, and positron emission tomography, are just the amount of the tests that doctors can perform to identify stomach cancer (PET). When it comes to stomach problems, barium is frequently used. During a barium swallow test, you ingest the barium liquid, which travels down your food pipe and into your stomach. After that, X-rays are performed to check for any anomalies.

A tiny, flexible, and thin tube with a camera is inserted into the stomach by a doctor to perform an upper endoscopy. During the endoscopic operation of a gastric patient, the doctor can take a biopsy (sample), and malignant cells can be detected in the lab.

An endoscopic ultrasound test might be performed if a person is diagnosed with stomach cancer. The examination, which uses an ultrasound probe, aids in staging the tumors or determining how much of the stomach is impacted by the cancer.

Gastric Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for stomach cancer vary from person to person. According to the tumor's stage, different treatments are used. The principal treatment is surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery is the typical treatment for stomach cancer. The operation is known as gastroplasty. During the surgery, the surgeon removes subtotal or total gastrectomy of the stomach and specific tissues around the abdomen.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. In this treatment, the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Chemotherapy can be used before surgery for stomach cancer. (The dual form of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is referred to as "chemoradiation.”) Neoadjuvant treatment frequently results in tumour shrinkage and may facilitate surgery.

Additionally, it might prolong patients' lives and prevent cancer from returning. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is one of the standard therapeutic options for specific stages of stomach cancer. Chemotherapy is regularly administered again after surgery.

After surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used to try to eliminate any cancer cells that the surgery did not manage to remove. As a result, cancer may spread more.

Stomach Cancer Treatment in India 

According to a study from Karnataka, stomach cancer is one of the top five cancers among young Indian men and women (aged 15 to 44). In India, 50,000 cases of stomach cancer are estimated to occur annually.

Diagnosis of gastric cancer is made by taking various tests. They are blood tests, imaging tests (endoscopy, ultrasound, CT, PET-CT, biopsy, or diagnostic laparoscopy), and diagnostic laparoscopy, which are all available in India and are highly accurate in their diagnosis. India has improved healthcare facilities like surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery, as well as the top oncologists specializing in treating complicated illnesses like stomach cancer are in India. They are adopting robotic or laparoscopic surgeries to ensure fast, safe alternatives to conservative open surgery. Using this technology, stomach cancer patients have decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.

India is one of the most popular locations for stomach cancer treatment since it boasts modern facilities, innovative technology, sophisticated infrastructure, and access to highly qualified medical professionals at reasonable costs. So, people receive treatment in India each year for stomach cancer.