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
Stomach cancer 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: The cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body. Depending on the location and extent of spreading, treatment options may vary and are generally focused on palliative care (symptom relief). At this stage, complete cure is much more challenging.
What Are The Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer usually does not cause symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult for patients to detect. However, as the disease progresses, some symptoms may emerge. These symptoms can vary from person to person and often resemble those of other stomach disorders. The most significant warning signs of stomach cancer are loss of appetite and unexpected, rapid weight loss. Such symptoms may indicate that the cancer has advanced or spread
.Stomach cancer 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.
Stomach cancer 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: Stage 4 stomach cancer patients may experience rapid and significant weight loss. This may be associated with symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, 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: In this phase, difficulty in swallowing may increase and food intake may become difficult. Appetite loss may continue and patients may have difficulty eating.
Bloody Stools or Vomiting: Stage 4 stomach cancer can cause serious symptoms such as bloody stools or vomiting.
Jaundice: As stomach cancer progresses, it can put pressure on the liver and cause jaundice. Jaundice is seen as yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Where is Stomach Cancer Pain Felt?
Stomach cancer 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 of Stomach Cancer?
Although the specific cause of stomach cancer is not known clearly, some factors may increase the risk of cancer.
“What causes stomach 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?
Diagnosing stomach cancer is a complex process that involves a number of stages. First, the doctor takes a detailed history of the patient's health history, symptoms, family history, and risk factors. This forms the basis of the diagnostic process. During the physical examination, the doctor examines the abdomen and other parts of the body and looks for any abnormalities. He or she can then check for cancer markers with blood tests. But these checks are not sufficient for the diagnosis of stomach cancer.
Stomach Cancer Diagnosis Methods: Endoscopy
Endoscopy is one of the most commonly used procedures for diagnosing stomach cancer. In this procedure, a flexible tube called an endoscope is gently inserted into the stomach, allowing doctors to directly view the inner lining. If necessary, a tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken during the examination to help confirm the diagnosis.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are used to assess how far stomach cancer has spread. These tests are essential for determining the stage of the disease and for developing an effective treatment plan. Accurate diagnosis guides treatment by identifying the type of cancer and the extent of its progression.
What are the Treatment Methods for Stomach Cancer?
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: Surgery is used to remove the cancerous area and surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on the stage, the procedure may involve removing part or all of the stomach. Nearby lymph nodes may also be taken out if necessary.
Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy targets and destroys cancer cells. It can be used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be given alone or combined with surgery or radiotherapy, depending on the patient’s needs.
Targeted Therapy: Some stomach cancers respond to targeted therapies, which block proteins or pathways specific to cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
Immunotherapy: This treatment helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It is an emerging approach in stomach cancer care.
Palliative Care: For advanced cases, treatment may focus on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than attempting to cure the cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Blood Values Used in the Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer?
Blood tests are used both to help diagnose stomach cancer and to monitor a patient’s progress during treatment. These tests provide important insights into the patient’s overall health and help guide treatment decisions. For example, hemoglobin levels are often lower than normal in stomach cancer patients due to common occurrences of anemia. Additionally, white blood cell counts may rise if inflammation develops as a result of the cancer.
Is Low White Blood Blood Cancer?
In some individuals, low white blood cell counts can result from natural body processes or as a side effect of chemotherapy—not necessarily from cancer itself. While people often wonder if low white blood cell levels mean cancer, there is no direct link between the two. More specifically, tumor markers such as CA 19-9 (cancer antigen 19-9) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) are more reliable indicators for stomach cancer, as their levels tend to rise if stomach cancer is present.
Is Stomach Pain an Indicator of Cancer?
The main difference between a serious health problem such as stomach cancer and other common stomach pains is the continuity and severity of symptoms. Stomach pain due to stomach cancer can often be more persistent and severe than other stomach problems. This pain can vary depending on the location of the stomach cancer and is often associated with meals. It increases especially after meals and may manifest itself with a feeling of rapid satiety.
* 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 .