Gastric Cancer Attacks The Stomach

By Author: jhon tony
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Gastric cancer is a tumor that is malignant and it arises from the stomach lining. Over the last 60 years not as many people have been diagnosed will determine which type it is. If the cancer starts in the glandular tissue it is called adenocarcinoma, up to 95 percent of people have this kind. If the cancer started in the lymphatic system or sarcomas then it is called lymphomas.

Causes

Even though scientists are not sure what exactly causes gastric cancer there are a number of items that can increase your risk of getting the disease, such as:

• Men are double the risk then women are
• Risks incresase if you are Asian or African-American
• Cancer syndromes that are inherited or genetic abnormalities
• Common in South America, Central America parts, former Soviet Union and Japan
• Blood type A
• Between ages of 70-74
• Gastric cancer in family history
• Drinking alcohol, smoking, high salt intake, foods preserved with nitrate, low intake of vegetables and fruits
• Helicobacter pylori bacterium
• Prior stomach surgery, gastritis that ...
... is chronic, gastric polyps, pemicious anemia, and intestinal metaplasia
• Exposure to asbestos, processing of timber and rubber, nickel refining, and coal mining

Symptoms

There are only a few symptoms at the beginning of gastric cancer which could be:

• Discomfort in the stomach and with indigestion
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Form of mild nausea
• No appetite
• Heartburn

If you have a peptic ulcer then you could have similar symptoms. If any of these symptoms occur visit your doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Other symptoms can be experienced, but not until the cancer has grown in size. Theses symptoms are:

• Abdomen discomfort in middle or upperpart
• Bloody stool
• Vomiting of blood or just vomiting
• Loss of weight
• After eating feeling pain or bloating
• Mild anemia causing fatigue or even weakness

Diagnosed

A physical exam given by your doctor will detect any advanced gastric cancer. They might find an enlarged liver or lymph nodes; abdomen could have increased fluid, or when giving an exam of the rectal there could be lumps in the abdomen felt.

Screening tests might be needed if you have vague symptoms like indigestion, loss of weight or appetite. The test might be the following:

• Upper GI by drinking a solution of barium so the stomach is outlined for a better view on the X-ray
• Gastroscopy and a biopsy are done when a gastroscopy is run from the mouth to the stomach looking for any area that is abnormal. If something is seen then some tissue from the area is removed so a biopsy can be done.

Treatment

In order to treat gastric cancer there could be a combination of treatments or just one might be needed. The treatments are as follows:

• Gastrectomy surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy

Prognosis

When gastric cancer is found at an early stage it is easier to cure. The diagnosis is usually not made until the cancer has advanced since there are few symptoms. Symptoms can be experienced with advanced gastric cancer and it can be treated.

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