Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops in the mucosal cells lining the inner surface of the stomach. As part of the digestive system, the stomach is essential for breaking down food, and stomach cancer is a significant health concern worldwide. In medical literature, this condition is commonly referred to as gastric cancer.
Stages of Stomach Cancer
It can occur at different stages, each indicating the extent to which the cancer has progressed.
The stages of stomach cancer are:
Stage 0: This is the earliest stage, where the cancer is limited to the surface cells lining the stomach. At this point, the cancer is confined to the mucosal layer and has not spread.
Stage I: Cancer starts to grow into the deeper layers of the stomach wall, but has not yet spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.
Stage II: In this stage, the cancer begins to spread further into the stomach wall and may involve surrounding tissues.
Stage III: At this stage, the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes as well as surrounding tissues.
Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized to other body parts. Treatment usually focuses on palliative care and symptom relief.
What Are The Symptoms ?
It usually does not cause symptoms early on, making detection difficult. As it progresses, signs may appear and resemble other digestive issues.
Symptoms generally include:
- Stomache ache,
- Appetite and weight loss,
- Nausea,
- Bloody stool,
- Indigestion,
- Tiredness,
- Difficulty swallowing.
In the final stage of stomach cancer, treatment options become more limited. At this stage, disease symptoms are more serious.
Stage 4 symptoms include:
Severe Abdominal Pain: In stage 4, stomach cancer has usually spread to surrounding tissues. This condition can cause severe and constant pain in the abdominal area.
Weight Loss: Rapid and significant due to appetite loss and nausea.
Extreme Fatigue: Advanced stage stomach cancer can greatly affect the body and create a feeling of extreme fatigue.
Loss of Appetite and Difficulty in Swallowing: Eating becomes hard, worsening nutrition.
Bloody Stools or Vomiting: Stage 4 stomach cancer can cause serious symptoms such as bloody stools or vomiting.
Jaundice: Pressure on the liver can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Where is Pain Felt?
It pain can vary from person to person, and the intensity of the pain may vary depending on the stage, size, and extent of spread of the cancer.
But usually stomach cancer pain can be felt in the following areas:
Upper Abdominal Pain: Stomach cancer usually begins in the stomach or near the stomach entrance, so pain and discomfort may be felt in the upper abdominal area.
Back Pain: As stomach cancer progresses, pain may be felt in the back area. Especially when stomach cancer reaches a certain stage, you may feel pain near the spine or ribs.
Chest Pain: When stomach cancer begins in areas of the stomach close to the esophagus, some people may experience chest pain or a burning sensation.
Stomach Ulcer-Like Pain: Some cases of stomach cancer begin with stomach ulcer-like or heartburn-like symptoms. For this reason, burning, stinging or aching sensations in the stomach area may also frequently occur.
What are the Causes ?
Although the specific cause of stomach cancer is not known clearly, some factors may increase the risk of cancer.
The risk factors that can be given in response to the question are:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which can settle on the inner surface of the stomach and cause gastroenteritis.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption,
- Excessive consumption of salty, smoked or canned foods,
- Having stomach cancer cases in your family history,
- Advancing age,
- Some stomach polyps,
- Chronic stomach inflammation (gastritis) or stomach surgeries,
- Certain genetic mutations.
How is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history, physical exam, and risk assessment.
Doctors may perform blood tests to check for cancer markers, but more tests are needed for a final diagnosis.
Diagnosis Methods
Endoscopy:A thin endoscope lets doctors view the stomach lining directly and take biopsy samples for confirmation.
Imaging:CT and MRI scans determine how far the disease has spread and help stage the illness for treatment planning.
What are the Treatment Methods ?
The stage at which stomach cancer is diagnosed, along with the patient's overall health, plays a critical role in determining the most appropriate treatment approach.
The main methods used for stomach cancer treatment are:
Surgical Intervention: Removing part or all of the stomach and nearby lymph nodes.
Radiotherapy: Targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill or slow tumor growth.
Targeted Therapy: Drugs that block cancer-specific pathways.
Immunotherapy: Stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Palliative Care: Focuses on comfort and symptom control in advanced cases.
* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
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