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Stomach Cancer |
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Definition
Stomach cancer or gastric cancers are malignancies of
the stomach. Stomach cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in
the lining of the stomach and start to divide
uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor.
Risk Factors
Gastritis
Pernicious Anemia (B12
Deficiency)
History of partial gastrectomy
(the stomach is removed by surgery)
Salty and smoked foods (e.g.,
with nitrites), such as smoked fish, may be a risk
factor
Symptoms
-
There are often no symptoms until
the late stages of the disease
-
Stomach discomfort/pain-often
mild
-
Appetite loss
-
Early satiety (fill up on food
quickly)
-
Weight loss
-
Vomiting blood or passing black
stools in some cases
Screening and
Diagnostics
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Mass in stomach is felt in less
than 20% of cases
-
Stool sample may show
microscopic blood (guaiac positive)
-
Enlarged left supraclavicular
node (Virchow's node), an umbilical nodule, rigid
rectal shelf, or ovarian mass are signs of
metastatic spread
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Iron Deficiency
Anemia
Liver functions are abnormal if
there is metastatic spread to the liver
Endoscopy (scope passed down
the throat into stomach) with biopsies will make
the diagnosis
An Upper GI series (barium is
swallowed and
X-Rays are taken) only when endoscopy is not
available (it may miss small tumors)
An Abdominal CT scan is done to
look for metastases
Treatment
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A surgical resection in early
stages of the disease may provide a cure.
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Late disease (spreads to
structures adjacent to the stomach) or metastatic
disease
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There is no cure except for
surgery.
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Radiation and chemotherapy may
help to decrease the symptoms.
:
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MALT
Lymphoma (a specific
low-grade type) associated with Heliobacter pylori
infection and treatment, often involves only
treating the Heliobacter pylori with antibiotics,
which cause the tumor to regress.
Early disease -- surgical
resection can be performed.
Late disease (including
metastatic)-Chemotherapy by be curative here
Complications
Preventions
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