Stomach or gastric cancer is a disease that affects the stomach, the organ of our body that holds the food and begins the process of digestion. The stomach consists of five layers and this cancer can begin from any of these layers. With the development of cancer into the deeper layers, the diagnosis gets more difficult
The innermost layer is called the mucosa followed by submucosa, encircled by the muscularis, which is a muscular layer that contracts and relaxes to mix the contents of the stomach. The two layers after that, subserosa and serosa, work as a wrapper for the stomach. Cancer generally begins in the first layer, mucosa. However, stomach cancer treatment is possible. Read on to get an insight into a few facts about this kind of cancer.
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Types of Stomach Cancer
Most stomach cancers (approximately 90% to 95%) are adenocarcinomas. This means that they develop from the lining cells of several organs. Other types of stomach cancer are lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and stromal tumours. These are cancers affecting the muscle or connective tissue.
A rare kind of gastrointestinal cancer known as carcinoid tumour develops due to the formation of malignant cells in particular hormone-secreting cells present in the digestive system or along the internal lining of the system.
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Signs of Stomach Cancer
It is not easy to find out stomach cancer in the initial stages due to the symptoms being fairly similar to different conditions, such as indigestion or any viral disease. Some of the main symptoms are involuntary weight loss or loss of appetite, pain in the stomach, feeling bloated after a meal, regular heartburn, feeling nauseated, frequent vomiting, swollen abdomen, diarrhoea or constipation and bloody vomit or stools.
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Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer
Since people with stomach cancer hardly have any symptoms in the initial stages, this frequently goes undiagnosed until it reaches more advanced stages. To diagnose, the doctor first needs to carry out a physical exam to examine for any irregularities. The medical team might also carry out a blood test, such as a test for finding H. pylori bacteria.
Additional diagnostic tests will have to be performed if the doctor feels that the patients exhibit symptoms of stomach cancer. Such diagnostic tests search particularly for possible tumours or any other irregularities. These tests include:
- Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract
- Biopsy
- Imaging tests like CT scans and X-rays
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Treatment of Stomach Cancer
Conventionally, stomach cancer treatment includes one or more of these: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Your precise treatment plan depends on the place of origin or development of cancer. Age as well as overall health will also play a major role in deciding the appropriate treatment.
- Prevention of Stomach Cancer
Despite the fact that the exact reason for stomach cancer is not known, it can be prevented in several cases. Early detection is probably the best method to improve the chances of successful treatment as well as to lessen the number of deaths caused by this. Here are some preventive measures that you can take, which can reduce the risk of stomach cancer:
- Use refrigeration for storing food
- Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of stomach cancer
- Limit intake of red meats high in fat
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Now that you know most of the important facts about stomach cancer, it’s always better to take preventive measures than looking for a cure. So, follow a healthy lifestyle to stay away from this deadly disease.
