Stomach Cancer-description,diagnosis and symptoms

Growth of cancer cells in the stomach. Stomach cancer most often affects adults over age 50 and is more common in men than in women. Most people do not have symptoms until the disease is advanced.

Frequent signs and symptoms

Early stages:

Vague symptoms of indigestion, such as fullness, burping, nausea, and poor appetite.

Later stages:

Causes of Stomach Cancer

Exact cause is unknown. Helicobacter pylori infection, a bacterial infection of the stomach, appears to be a factor. Diet factors may also be involved in causing the cancer

Risk increases with

-Age over 50. Men are more at risk than women.
-Excess alcohol or tobacco use.
-Previous stomach surgery.
-Diet that includes many smoked, pickled, and salted foods, and low amounts of protein, fresh fruits, and green, leafy vegetables.
-Pernicious anemia (unable to absorb vitamin B12).
-Family history of stomach cancer.
-Being overweight.
-People with type A blood.

Preventive measures

-There are no specific preventive measures. Changing some lifestyle behaviors can help lower the risks.
-Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Lose weight if overweight.
-Decrease alcohol use if you drink more than 1 or 2 drinks a day. Don't smoke. If you do smoke, try to quit.
-To help find stomach cancer early, don't ignore symptoms of indigestion that last more than a few days. Do a yearly home test for blood in the stool.
-Treatment for ongoing Helicobacter pylori infection as a cancer-preventive step is being researched.

Often, the cancer is diagnosed too late for effective treatment. New developments in treatment may offer hope in some cases. If the cancer is found early, and surgery removes the entire tumor, recovery may be complete.

Diagnosis & Treatment

General measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests may include blood studies, CT, and X-rays of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. The stomach may be examined with an endoscope (a viewing tube passed down the esophagus to the stomach). A small amount of tissue may be removed for a biopsy.
 
Your health care provider will discuss treatment options with you. They depend on the location of the cancer, how advanced it is, your overall health, and your own preferences.
Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach may be recommended, if the cancer has not spread.

Drugs to help kill the cancer or radiation therapy may achieve a temporary response.
Treatment may involve steps to relieve symptoms and make you comfortable, rather than treating the cancer.

Eat frequent, small meals of soft foods. Try to maintain a high calorie intake.