What is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is a disease wherein cancerous cells are formed in the inner lining of the stomach. Gradually, these cells develop into a tumor to pose some serious health risks. Also known as gastric cancer, it’s a disease that grows at a slow pace, and takes years to surface fully.  

Medical science is yet to establish the real cause of this disease or the origin of cells in the stomach. However, there are some risk factors that make people susceptible to the disease. Among the causes, infection by common bacteria (H. pylori) is a major one.

More so, gastritis or gut inflammation can cause this disease, and so doe persistent anemia and polyps (growth in the stomach).   

What are the types of Stomach Cancer?

There are many types of stomach cancer, like:-

Adenocarcinoma of the stomach – The most common form that originates in the gland cells of the stomach 

Squamous cell cancers – Starts between gland cells

Lymphoma of the stomach – A rare type

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) – Starts from the cells of the connective tissues that prop up the digestive tract   

Neuroendocrine tumors– Begins in the hormone-producing tissues

Signs and symptoms of Stomach Cancer

No marked symptoms are present in the initial stages of stomach cancer. The disease reaches an advanced stage by the time some symptoms start appearing. 

Some of the symptoms include:-

• Indigestion
• Burning sensation
• Abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Nausea and irregular vomiting
• Weight loss

Treatment of Stomach Cancer

Treatment of stomach cancer would largely relies on the stage and spread of the disease. For Stage 0, surgery alone is sufficient as the risks have not spread far off.

Total or subtotal gastrectomy is the recommended treatment option for stage IA stomach cancer where cancer is removed along with lymph nodes nearby. For Stage IB, surgery is apt, though chemo or radiotherapy may come earlier.  

Surgery is done to take out all parts of the stomach in Stage II and Stage III. A combination of treatments is done to cure Stage IV cancer with an extremely low survival rate.