Stomach cancer results from the growth of cancerous cells along the stomach lining. It is also known as gastric cancer and can develop in any part of the stomach.
Usually, the site at which the tumour develops guides a doctor about the best course of treatment for such cancer. It is necessary to understand what causes it and to devise the correct stomach cancer treatment for a patient.
What Are The Causes Of Stomach Cancer?
The digestive tract in the human body consists of the stomach and the oesophagus, which form the upper section of the track. It plays a vital role in ensuring proper digestion of food and helping the nutrients move to other body parts.
A tumour may occur when healthy cells in the upper digestive tract become cancerous and start increasing. Stomach cancer can take years to develop, which is why the occurrence of symptoms is usually slow.
Several risk factors may impact the possibility of having stomach cancer in the long run for multiple reasons. These include the following:
- Bacterial infections caused by H.Pylori
- Tumours in other parts of the digestive system
- Growth of polyps along the lining of the stomach
- Inherited genetic syndromes
- Old age, usually above 60
- Being overweight or obese
- A family history of the cancer
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol, usually more than 3 units a day
- Eating excessive processed food
- Not eating fruits regularly
- Consuming food which is not cooked and stored properly
Screening tests help detect your risk of developing stomach cancer. Such tests may be necessary for those who are at risk of developing stomach cancer, even if they do not display any symptoms of the same.
Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer
Typically, it is hard to detect any early-stage symptoms of stomach cancer. Generally, it means that detection of stomach cancer is difficult unless it has advanced. However, specific symptoms usually indicate the presence of such cancer:
- Frequent feeling of heartburn
- Losing appetite
- The feeling of constant bloating
- Incidences of indigestion and frequent burping
- Feeling satiated quickly
- Too much fatigue
- Pain in the abdomen
These symptoms are synonymous with the condition of ulcers or infections of the stomach, which can further make it difficult to diagnose stomach cancer. Once cancer begins spreading, it can manifest in the form of the following symptoms:
- Blood in stool
- Vomiting and nausea
- Formation of a lump in the stomach
- Jaundice in case cancer reaches the liver
- Weight loss without an apparent cause
If any of these symptoms are noticed, it is necessary to diagnose the condition properly.
How Is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?
Stomach cancer does not manifest any significant symptoms at the early stages, which is why it can be challenging to diagnose at first. However, doctors at Max Healthcare group perform a physical exam to detect abnormalities in the body if a patient arrives with any symptoms. They may perform different blood tests to check for any irregularities.
If your doctor believes you have stomach cancer, they may perform further diagnostic tests to determine the same. Such diagnostic tests look for suspected tumours or other irregularities in the digestive tract.
Some of these tests include upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans.
In case any of these diagnoses reveals the presence of stomach cancer, your doctor may recommend a proper course of stomach cancer treatment to treat it. It will help them understand your current condition and start the treatment accordingly.
Treatment For Stomach Cancer
Usually, doctors may resort to any one of the following treatment methodologies for stomach cancer.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
The exact course of treatment for stomach cancer may depend upon the site of origination of cancer and the ability of the body to respond to a particular type of treatment.
A person’s age and state of health may also determine how much a doctor can administer any of these treatments. Any treatment for stomach cancer not only aims to diminish the impact of the existing infected cells but also prevent the growth of the cells and their spread across other parts of the body. When left untreated, stomach cancer can spread and infect the lungs, bones, lymphatic nodes, and liver.
Conclusion
Make sure you closely monitor the symptoms, and if you suspect that you have any symptoms of stomach cancer, then you should reach out to a doctor at Max Healthcare group to avail of holistic treatment for the same.
Timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase your chances of surviving this health ordeal.
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