Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer

Although stomach cancer , known medically as gastric cancer , is a common cancer in South America, Eastern Europe and some countries in the Middle East and, in contrast, is rare in Europe, the United States, Australia and Africa.

This change in the appearance of stomach cancer is probably due to differences in diet, rate of Helicobacter pylori infection and environment.

The success of treatment and survival in patients with stomach cancer have been limited because the most common is that the presence of stomach cancer is not recognized until the disease has spread. This is partly due to the absence of noticeable symptoms during the early stages of cancer development in the stomach. And, when the symptoms become evident, they can initially be confused with other less serious gastric problems, such as indigestion and heartburn, which further delay diagnosis and treatment.

Types

Most cancerous gastric tumors are adenocarcinomas, which develop in the cells of the stomach lining, often after a precancerous change in the lining.

Although stomach cancer usually begins in the innermost five layers of the stomach, it can appear anywhere in the body and spread to other parts of the body as it grows beyond the stomach wall, enters the bloodstream, or reaches the stomach. lymphatic system.

Since adenocarcinomas make up the majority of cases of stomach cancer , other types are considered rare, including:

Lymphoma : affects the body's immune system

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: often referred to as GIST or gastric sarcomas
Carcinoid tumors : affect the stomach hormone-producing cells
symptom
Since many symptoms of stomach cancer are often experienced and may be indicative of a stomach virus or other unimportant disease, people who suffer from them may be hesitant about the request for medical care, opting instead to ignore the symptom. Although the diagnosis of stomach cancer is unlikely in most cases, people should contact a doctor when they usually experience the following:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Sensation of fullness after eating small amounts of food
• Bloody or black stools
• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss