Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer is a disease in which cells are cancerous (malignant) in the tissues of the stomach. The stomach is a J-shaped organ located in the upper abdomen where food is broken down (digestion).
The symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
• Indigestion or stomach burning
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Defamation stomach after meals
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• bleeding
• Changes in urinary or intestinal rhythm
• Difficult to heal wounds
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent cough or hoarseness
• Sudden changes in skin warts
• Weight loss.
Food reaches the stomach through a tube called the esophagus that connects the mouth to the stomach. After passing through the stomach, partially digested food pass into the small intestine and then the large intestine or colon. Sometimes cancer can be found in the stomach for a long time and grow considerably before it causes symptoms. In the early stages of stomach cancer, the patient may suffer from indigestion and upset stomach, bloated feeling after eating; have mild nausea, loss of appetite or heartburn. In the later stages of stomach cancer, the patient may have blood in the stool, vomiting, weight loss or stomach pain. The probability that the patient will develop cancer of the stomach is higher has had a stomach infection caused by Helicobacter pylori, or is elderly, if male, smoking cigarettes or drink is often a dry food diet salt.
Other factors that increase the chance of getting stomach cancer are a stomach disorder called atrophic gastritis, disease, a blood disorder called pernicious anemia, or a hereditary condition of growths (polyps) in the large intestine. If there are symptoms, the doctor may order x-rays of the upper gastrointestinal (also known as upper GI series). For this test, the patient drinks liquid containing barium, allowing the stomach is seen more easily on the radiograph. Generally, this test is done in the doctor's office or hospital radiology department. The doctor may also look into the stomach with a thin, lighted tube called a Gastroscope.
This procedure, known as Gastroscopy, detects the majority of stomach cancers. To perform this test, the Gastroscope is inserted through the mouth and goes into the stomach. The doctor put a local anesthetic (a drug that causes loss of sensation for a short period) in the throat or other medicine administered to relax before the test to not feel pain. If the doctor sees abnormal tissue, may have to take a small piece to observe under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells. This procedure is called a biopsy. Typically, biopsies are done during Gastroscopy.
The cancer, gastric or stomach is a condition characterized by the presence of cells cancer bears in the tissues of the stomach. Has the ability to invade and destroy other tissues and organs as the esophagus and small intestine.
When the symptoms of stomach cancer, indicating the presence of metastases, can infiltrate the lymph vessels in the tissue, spread to the lymph nodes and can thus penetrate into the bloodstream, and therefore any organ.
This cancer is associated with smoking, high intake of sodium chloride salt, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The infection with Helicobacter pylori, is a risk factor, mostly in men over 50 years.
There is an incidence of metastasis of 85% of cases, with an average survival of 5 years in those diagnosed early, but drops to less than 30% in the cases detected late.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage where the cancer (whether it is in the stomach or if it has spread to other parts of the body) and general health status of the patient.
