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Stomach Cancer
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is the
seventh most common type of cancer in the U.S. Like all
cancers, the disease is the result of unrestrained
multiplication of cells. Normal cells divide in a planned way,
creating more cells only when needed. Cancerous cells grow and
divide without control or order, often making excess tissue
that becomes a tumor (lump). Cancer cells may grow into nearby
healthy tissue, or they may break away from the tumor and
travel through the blood stream or lymphatic system to other
parts of the body.
Causes
The cause is unknown, but we do know of several factors
that make the disease more likely:
-
Age: More than three-quarters of all cases occur in
people over 50.
-
Diet: Habitually eating large quantities of dried,
smoked, salted, or pickled foods seems to increase the
likelihood of stomach cancer.
-
Ulcers: Stomach ulcers caused by the H. pylori
bacterium increase your chances of developing this form of
cancer.
-
Smoking: Cigarettes and constant exposure to dust or
fumes increase the odds of stomach cancer.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms are rare during the early stages of the disease,
and are so vague that people tend to ignore them. They could
signal cancer, or any number of other digestive problems. They
include:
-
Heartburn
-
Upset stomach
-
Vomiting
-
Abdominal pain or
aching
-
Diarrhea
-
Constipation
-
Bloody vomit or
stool
-
Stomach bloating after
eating
-
Loss of
appetite
-
Weakness
-
Fatigue
-
Unexplained weight
loss
Care
To find out what stage the cancer has reached, your
doctor will measure the size of the tumor and order blood tests
to see if the cancer has spread. He'll probably need to take a
tissue sample from your stomach, and may need x-rays and other
types of imaging. The results of the tests will help you and
your doctor choose a treatment plan.
The most common types of treatment for stomach cancer
include the following:
-
Surgery: This is the most common form of treatment.
Depending on the stage of the cancer, part or all of the
stomach may have to be removed. You may also need to have
some lymph nodes taken out to help prevent the cancer from
spreading to other parts of your body. Surgery is often
accompanied by radiation or chemotherapy.
-
Chemotherapy: Often called "chemo," this type of
therapy uses drugs to kill new tumor cells or shrink lymph
nodes that contain cancer cells. Many different chemo
medicines are available. They may be taken as a pill, as a
shot, or in an IV. You will probably need frequent blood
tests to determine how your body is doing and how much
chemo you need. The drugs can produce many side effects,
and may leave you susceptible to infection for a
while.
-
Radiation: X-rays or gamma rays can kill cancer and
help prevent it from spreading. They can also be effective
in reducing pain, controlling bleeding, and shrinking
cancerous tumors. Doctors also use this type of therapy on
cancerous lymph nodes. Radiation and chemotherapy are often
used together. Radiation is also used after surgery to kill
any cancer cells that may have been missed.
-
Biologic Therapy (also called biotherapy or
immunotherapy): This type of treatment relies on special
drugs that boost the immune system to help your body fight
growing cancer cells. Certain drugs may also make cancer
cells weaker and easier to kill. The medications are
usually given through an IV. They may cause flu-like
symptoms.
Risks
If the cancer is not treated, it is certain to spread.
All forms of treatment have unpleasant side effects, and in the
end, may still fail to halt the spread. Nevertheless, some form
of treatment is your only chance of a
cure.
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