Stomach Cancer: What is Stomach Cancer?
In stomach cancer, cancer cells typically develop in the inner lining of the stomach walls and then penetrate deeper into the stomach walls as the cancer progresses. The tumor may grow to affect surrounding organs such as the liver and pancreas.
Stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, but it is less frequent in the United States. The number of stomach cancer cases has steadily declined in recent decades. This decline is believed to be due to the widespread use of refrigeration, which has increased access to fresh food without preservatives and reduced bacterial contamination.
Stomach cancer may also be referred to as gastric cancer.
What are the Causes of Stomach Cancer?
The primary cause of stomach cancer is a genetic mutation (change) in the stomach cells that causes the cells to grow rapidly and eventually form a tumor. There are risk factors that can increase an individual’s likelihood of developing stomach cancer.
Some of the risk factors for stomach cancer include:
- Family history
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
- Diet high in salt
- Diet low in fruits and vegetables
What are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Vomiting with blood (in advanced stages)
Stomach Cancer: Diagnosis and Screening
How is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?
There are specific tests used to diagnose stomach cancer. Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), barium swallow, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify problems in the stomach when the tumor is large enough.
With endoscopy and biopsy of the lesion, a diagnosis can be established or early cancer can be detected before the mass becomes large enough to appear in imaging tests. During an endoscopy, a thin tube with a small camera is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The tumor is located, and biopsies are taken from the lesion. To determine how much of the stomach wall is affected by a tumor and to assess the cancer’s “stage,” the doctor will often recommend an endoscopic ultrasound.
An endoscopic ultrasound uses a special type of endoscope that has an ultrasound probe attached and is inserted into the stomach via the mouth. The ultrasound probe can look through the surface of the stomach lining into the wall of the stomach and see how much of the stomach is infiltrated by the tumor.
Stomach Cancer: Management and Treatment
How is Stomach Cancer Treated?
In the early stages, when the cancer is confined to the superficial layers of the stomach, it can be removed through upper endoscopy performed by a gastroenterologist. Often, surgery can be avoided. The tumor is excised from the remaining gastric wall and removed through the mouth. This technique is called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
Once the tumor invades beyond the superficial layers of the stomach, surgery will be required to remove the stomach and connect the esophagus to the small intestine to allow for digestion. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy employs chemicals to kill cancer cells. These treatments are generally combined. There are also several types of medications that can be used to treat stomach cancer. The treatment depends on the severity of the cancer and is determined by a doctor after diagnosis.
Stomach Cancer: Prevention
How Can Stomach Cancer Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent stomach cancer is to consume a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in salts and red meats. It is recommended that individuals maintain a healthy weight and engage in regular physical activity. Avoiding smoking is also crucial, as it increases the risk of stomach cancer as well as many other cancers.
Stomach Cancer: Prognosis
What is the Prognosis for Individuals with Stomach Cancer?
The prognosis for stomach cancer can vary significantly depending on the stage of the cancer. Individuals with early-stage cancer have a much higher survival rate compared to those with late-stage cancer. If stomach cancer is diagnosed at an early stage and can be removed with an endoscope, the five-year survival rate is over 90%.
If the cancer has spread to areas surrounding the stomach, the five-year survival rate drops to 28%. If the cancer has spread beyond those areas, the five-year survival rate is 4%.
