Stomach cancer, which is also called gastric cancer, is a growth of cells that starts in the stomach. The stomach is in the upper middle part of the belly, just below the ribs. The stomach helps to break down and digest food.
Stomach cancer can happen in any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers happen in the main part of the stomach. This part is called the stomach body.
A number of possible important risk factors are known. Some of these include:
In the early stages of stomach cancer, when the tumor is still small, there are usually no symptoms. However, patients at a more advanced stage usually complain of indigestion and upper abdominal pain.
Occasionally, the condition only presents itself when the disease is advanced with evidence of a tumor spreading to the liver or abdominal cavity. This may cause a build-up of fluid in the abdomen.
An endoscopy is the most important investigative tool in the diagnosis of stomach cancer. An should be done promptly in patients with indigestion or heartburn that persists for more than a few weeks or which does not respond to treatment, especially in those over the age of 40-45 years.
At endoscopy, the inner lining of the stomach (mucosa) can be carefully inspected and biopsies of any suspicious or abnormal areas can be taken. Sometimes it is not possible to tell whether a gastric ulcer is benign or malignant from the appearances alone, and multiple biopsies are usually needed. All patients with a gastric ulcer that is thought to be benign should undergo a repeat examination four to six weeks after treatment to ensure that the ulcer has healed properly.
Treatment.Things that can influence the prognosis for stomach cancer include:
Surgery to remove the tumor is the only means of curing stomach cancer. A cure can be achieved in 80% or more of patients with tiny early stomach cancers;, For the majority of patients, surgery involves removing part or all of the stomach, depending upon the exact location of the tumor. Surgery may also be necessary in patients who cannot be cured, as this may be the only means of relieving distressing symptoms such as a blockage of the stomach.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment given after surgery are not very effective in preventing recurrence of the disease or improving survival. Recently, however, better results have been obtained by giving chemotherapy pre-operatively.