Stomach cancer starts when cancer cells form in the inner lining of your stomach. These cells can turn into a tumor. Likewise called gastric cancer, the disease usually grows slowly over several years.
If you understand the symptoms it causes, you and your doctor might be able to spot it early, when it’s most convenient to treat.
What Causes Stomach Cancer?
Scientists do not know precisely what makes cancer cells start growing in the stomach. But they do know a couple of things that can raise your risk for the disease. Among them is infection with a typical bacteria, H. pylori, which causes ulcers. Inflammation in your gut called gastritis, a particular type of long-lasting anemia called pernicious anemia, and growths in your stomach called polyps likewise can make you more likely to obtain cancer.
Other things that appear to play a role in raising the risk include:
- Epstein-Barr virus infection
- Type-A blood
- A diet high in smoked, marinaded, or salted foods
- Exposure to asbestos
- Operating in coal, metal, lumber, or rubber markets
- Being obese or overweight
- Stomach surgery for an ulcer
- Smoking
- Particular genes
Early Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Regrettably, early-stage stomach cancer seldom causes symptoms. This is among the factors stomach cancer is so tough to detect early. But, according to statistics, we can say that early symptoms of the cancer include difficulty swallowing, heartburn and persistent indigestion. Complete list of symptoms and signs of stomach cancer can include:
- Weight reduction (without trying).
- A sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after consuming a little meal.
- Heartburn or indigestion.
- Vomiting, with or without blood.
- Unclear pain in the abdomen, generally above the navel.
- Low red blood cell count (anemia).
- Abdominal (belly) pain.
- Swelling or fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
- Poor cravings.
- Nausea.
The majority of these symptoms are most likely to be brought on by things besides cancer, such as a stomach infection or an ulcer. They might also occur with other types of cancer. However people who have any of these problems, especially if they do not disappear or worsen, need to check with their doctor so the cause can be discovered and treated.
Since symptoms of stomach cancer often do not appear up until the disease is advanced, just about 1 in 5 stomach cancers in the United States is discovered at an early stage, prior to it has actually infected other areas of the body.
What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer in Male
Men and women have similar symptoms of stomach cancer we described above. Anyway, males and females should visit doctor if have at least among the following in their case history:
- A close relative who has/had stomach cancer
- Barret’s esophagus
- Dysplasia – abnormal collection of cells; these are normally a precancerous kind of cells
- Gastritis – inflammation of the lining of the stomach
- Pernicious anemia – the stomach does not soak up vitamin B12 appropriately from food
History of stomach ulcers
What Does It Feel Like to Have Stomach Cancer
Symptoms of early stomach cancer can be the same as symptoms of other conditions, such as ulcers.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
You may feel pain or a burning sensation when you swallow, or your food might stick in your throat or chest.
A safe narrowing of the food pipeline (oesophagus) might also make it tough for you to swallow. It is very important to get this symptom inspected by your doctor.
Weight loss
This is weight reduction when you are not aiming to slim down. Seldom, severe weight loss can be a sign of an advanced cancer.
Pain
You may have pain in your stomach (upper abdomen) or behind your breastbone (breast bone).
Consistent indigestion (dyspepsia) and burping
You can get indigestion when acid from the stomach goes back up (refluxes) into the food pipe (oesophagus). Or you can get it if you have any inflammation in your stomach. This often happens after consuming (heartburn).
Remember, indigestion is common and it’s not normally brought on by cancer. Indigestion and heartburn can be extremely painful, even if nothing’s seriously wrong.
See your doctor if you’ve had heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more, even if you’re taking medication and it appears to assist.
Feeling full after consuming small amounts
This is frequently an early symptom and can cause weight loss.
Illness (vomiting)
Stomach cancer can cause a small blockage in the stomach. This stops food from travelling through your digestive symptom which can make you vomit.
Seldom, there is blood in the vomit. You may not have the ability to see any blood if it is small amounts. The blood may be bright red, which means it is fresh bleeding. Or it might look dark brown, like used coffee grounds, if the blood has remained in the stomach for a while.
Bleeding
Early and advanced stomach cancer can bleed into the stomach. Gradually this minimizes the number of red blood cells in your blood (anaemia).
Feeling tired and out of breath
This can be since you have a lowered number of red blood cells (anaemia).
Dark stool with blood
Your poo might be darker – almost black – if your stomach is bleeding. Your poo can also be darker if you’re taking iron pills.
Can Stomach Cancer Be Found Early?
Screening is checking for a disease, such as cancer, in people without symptoms. In countries such as Japan, where stomach cancer is typical, mass screening of the population has actually helped find lots of cases at an early, curable stage. This might have decreased the number of people who die of this disease, however this has actually not been proven.
Studies in the United States have actually not found that routine screening in people at average risk for stomach cancer is useful, due to the fact that this disease is not that typical. On the other hand, people with specific stomach cancer risk factors may benefit from screening. If you have any questions about your stomach cancer risk or about the benefits of screening, please ask your doctor.
How Is Stomach Cancer Treated
Once your cancer has been diagnosed and staged, there is a lot to think about before you and your physicians select a treatment plan. You might feel that you need to decide quickly, however it is essential to give yourself time to soak up the information you have actually simply learned. Ask your cancer care team concerns.
The main treatments for stomach cancer are:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
Typically the best technique uses 2 or more of these treatment techniques.
You will wish to weigh the benefits of each treatment versus the possible risks and side effects. Your treatment options depend on lots of elements. The place and the stage (extent of spread) of the growth are crucial. In picking your treatment strategy, you and your cancer care team will also take your age, general state of health, and individual preferences into account.
It is important to have a group of doctors with various specializeds involved in your care before plans for treating your stomach cancer are made. Probably, your group will consist of:
- A gastroenterologist: a doctor who focuses on treatment of illness of the digestion system.
- A surgical oncologist: a doctor who deals with cancer with surgery.
- A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medications such as chemotherapy.
- A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.
Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners, nurses, nutrition experts, social employees, and other health professionals.
It is necessary that you understand the objective of your treatment – whether it is to aim to cure your cancer or to keep the cancer under control or eliminate symptoms – before beginning treatment. If the goal of your treatment is a treatment, you will also get treatment to alleviate symptoms and side effects. If a cure is not possible, treatment is aimed at keeping the cancer under control for as long as possible and relieving symptoms, such as trouble consuming, pain, or bleeding.
