Stomach cancer

Also called gastric cancer or malignant stomach tumor. Its about abnormal and uncontrolled growth in the stomach lining of malignant cells with capacity for local destruction or remote dissemination to other organs. The most common stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma.

The cells can come from the stomach itself and then we talk about primary cancer, or they can be cells that come from another organ or tissue and then we talk about secondary cancer or metastasis.

How does the disease occur'

Different factors are known that may be involved or that may promote the development of stomach cancer, among them:

• Diet: certain nutrients taken in excess produce irritation of the gastric mucosa favoring its erosion and the appearance of precancerous lesions such as: excessive consumption of salt or seasoned foods, nitrates or smoked foods. Diets poor in vitamins A and C are favorable factors for the development of gastric cancer.
• Tobacco: long-term use
• Infection of the gastric mucosa by
• Virus infections
• Radiation
• Previous gastric surgery
• Familial or genetic forms
• Gastric mucosa injuries such as polyps, chronic gastritis, metaplasias or dysplasias or gastric ulcer.

Stomach cancer symptoms

Gastric cancer may be asymptomatic in the early stages of the illness. When it manifests symptoms, the most frequent are usually:

• Nonspecific abdominal pain or gastric discomfort
• Unjustified weight loss
• Heavy digestions, early satiety
• nausea and / or vomiting
• Asthenia
• Anorexy
• Dysphagia or gastric reflux
• Abdominal mass
• Change in stool color (dark stools)

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of stomach cancer is made by the general practitioner, the internist or the specialist in digestive pathology in the consultation of the medical center or hospital. The diagnosis of the initial stages of the disease is based on:

• Physical examination of the patient
• Symptoms that shows
• Result of the complementary studies that they be carried out, among which are a blood test that can show the presence of anemia or elevated tumor markers; the search for hidden blood in the stool; or imaging studies such as chest or abdominal X-rays, barium enema or tomography that allow the lesion to be visualized.

Confirmatory diagnosis requires performing a biopsy with the help of an endoscope or a laparoscope.

Stomach cancer treatment

There are different treatment options for stomach cancer, including:

• Surgery: complete removal of the tumor is the only treatment that has been shown to be curative
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy.
• Palliative treatment

The type of treatment to be carried out will depend on the extent of the tumor (if it is located only in the stomach or on the contrary it is spread to other organs or tissues), whether it is operable and the general condition of the patient.

Can its development be prevented?

Protective factors against stomach cancer are:

• Diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding smoked and salted foods.
• To avoid the use of tobacco

A doctor should be consulted in the presence of symptoms for an early diagnosis of the disease.