Stomach Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions
What is stomach cancer?
The stomach is a sack-like organ located just under the diaphragm (muscle under the lungs). Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is the name for cancer that begins in the stomach, generally the stomach lining. This type of cancer can eventually spread to lymph nodes and organs such as the liver, pancreas, colon, lungs and ovaries. ...
Source: www.jamesline.com
Stomach cancer is when cancer cells begin growing in the stomach. The cancer cells are found in the inner layer of the stomach’s lining. Because stomach cancer usually does not cause early symptoms, doctors do not do routine screening in the United States. Stomach cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages. This makes it harder to cure. Stomach cancer is not very common in the United States. In fact, it is becoming even more rare as methods of preparing and preserving food continue to improve. ...
Source: www.healthline.com
There are two main types of stomach cancer called the intestinal and diffuse types. Intestinal stomach cancer is more common amongst older patients and patients from high-risk groups (eg the Japanese and Koreans). Diffuse stomach cancer is found more frequently in women and people with blood group A. This variety of stomach cancer is more difficult to treat. A. This is still being investigated, but research to date has not found any link between diet and lung cancer.
Source: www.cancerhealercenter.com
What are the symptoms for stomach cancer?
These symptoms might be caused by stomach cancer: Indigestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)
Discomfort or pain in the abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Bloating of the stomach after meals
Loss of appetite
Weakness and fatigue
Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool) However, many of these symptoms are more often caused by other medical conditions. It is important to consult a physician to find out what is causing symptoms.
Source: www.jamesline.com
People with early stomach cancer, meaning it has not spread, do not usually have symptoms or signs of the cancer. But, as the cancer grows, it can cause these symptoms. Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain or vague pain just above the belly button area
Indigestion and vomiting
Loss of or decrease in appetite
Weakness or tiredness
Blood in the vomit or stool
A feeling of fullness after small meals A person should see the doctor if they are having any of these symptoms. ...
Source: www.healthline.com
Who develops stomach cancer?
It is found mostly in people in their 60s and 70s. Men get stomach cancer twice as often as women. The disease is more common in blacks than in whites. Also, stomach cancer is more common in some parts of the world, such as Japan, Korea, parts of Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Source: www.healthline.com
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
To find out the cause of any of the signs or symptoms, a doctor does a careful physical exam and asks about the personal and family medical history. The doctor may also order these tests to make a diagnosis. Fecal occult blood test
Upper endoscopy (The doctor may take a biopsy during this test. )
Biopsy
Upper GI series
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Source: www.healthline.com
Normally, a procedure called endoscopy is used to see the inside of the stomach. Under sedation, a thin fibre-optic tube is passed down the throat. The inside of the stomach is lit up and photographed. Any growths can be spotted relatively easily by this method. Sometimes, more sophisticated endoscopes are used which can take a small sample of the stomach lining or even take an ultrasound scan from the inside of the stomach. In some cases, a barium meal is used instead of endoscopy. ...
Source: www.cancerhealercenter.com
How is stomach cancer treated?
Treatment depends on the size and spread of the cancer. A person with stomach cancer may have one or more of these treatments. Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Source: www.healthline.com
How common is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer is more common than most people realise. Each year there are many cases where the diet or the H. pylori leads to the stomach cancers worldwide.
Source: www.cancerhealercenter.com
What causes stomach cancer?
The function of the stomach and the wide differences in stomach cancer rates between different countries make it almost certain that the food we eat is - or was - a major factor in the cause. The likely reason that the number of cases has dropped over the last fifty years is that refrigeration of food became common and people ate less pickled, salted, smoked and cured foods. A. Like many cancers, this type is most common in older people. ...
Source: www.cancerhealercenter.com
Is stomach cancer contagious?
Even though experts can't say exactly what causes stomach cancer, there is universal agreement that stomach cancer is not contagious. Back to Top of Page < Back Next >
Source: www.ehealthmd.com
How can we diagnose cancer of the stomach?
Upper G-I endoscopy is the best investigation for diagnosing stomach cancer. A flexible tube (Endoscope) is passed through mouth and introduced into food pipe and stomach for telescopic visualization. Biopsy can be taken if any lesion is found in stomach or food pipe.
Source: bareillycancertrust.com
The best method is an X-ray examination. The outline of the interior of the stomach when filled with a radio-opaque material such as barium sulphate, can give clues to the presence of cancer. Chemical tests of stomach contents are also of value. Only in late stages a lump may be felt through the body wall.
Source: www.indiancancersociety.org
Are there clinical trials available for stomach cancer?
Yes, clinical trials are available for stomach cancer. Patients may consider clinical trials as a means of treatment. Clinical trials are studies of promising new or experimental treatments and are performed on patients. Clinical trials are performed only when the treatment being studied is likely to be of value to the patient. Participating in a clinical trial is up to the patient. ...
Source: www.jamesline.com
What is new in stomach cancer research?
Cancer research should give you hope. Doctors and researchers around the world are learning more about what causes stomach cancer, and are looking for ways to prevent it. They are also finding better ways to detect and treat this disease. Here’s some recent research about prevention and causes of stomach cancer. A diet high in red meat (eating red meat more than 13 times a week) doubles a person’s chances of getting stomach cancer. Doctors are studying how certain drugs may prevent stomach cancer. ...
Source: www.healthline.com
Does stomach cancer run in families?
A few cases of stomach cancer (about one in ten) appear to run in the family. We do not yet understand which genes are involved, so genetic testing is not yet possible. A. " Diet - eating a diet high in preserved foods has been linked with higher rates of stomach cancer (see above). Gender - stomach cancer is almost twice as common in men as in women. Other diseases - people with pernicious anaemia or achlorhydria are more likely to get stomach cancer. ...
Source: www.cancerhealercenter.com
How much of the stomach is removed in people who have stomach cancer?
There are two kinds of surgeries to remove stomach cancer. One kind removes only the portion of the stomach that contains cancer. This is called a partial gastrectomy. The other removes the whole stomach, and is called total gastrectomy. Which type a person gets, or if they get surgery at all, depends on the stage and type of stomach cancer they have.
Source: www.healthline.com
Does the use of alcohol bear any relation to cancer of the stomach?
Not so far as is known. Alcohol may have an unfavorable effect on stomach tissues, but no more so than other substances taken along with food or drink.
Source: www.indiancancersociety.org
Is there a connection between stomach cancer and colorectal cancer?
There is no association between stomach (gastric) cancer and colorectal cancer, except in individuals with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). This is a rare genetic syndrome in which affected individuals are at risk of colorectal cancer, as well as other cancers including gastric cancer, at a young age. ...
Source: www.screen4coloncancer.org
There is no association between stomach (gastric) cancer and colon cancer, except in individuals with Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC). This is a rare genetic syndrome in which affected individuals are at risk of colorectal cancer, as well as other cancers including gastric cancer, at a young age. Individuals with a strong family history of colorectal cancer, or colon cancer and endometrial (uterus) cancer, may have this syndrome and may warrant genetic testing and/or screening with colonoscopy. ...
Source: www.screenforcoloncancer.org
If stomach cancer is in the stomach, how does it spread to other areas of the body?
Depending on the stage of the disease, any cancer can metastasize (spread to other areas). Stomach cancer may for example grow along the stomach wall and invade the esophagus or small intestine (two connecting points of the stomach to other body parts). It can also extend through the stomach wall, spread to nearby lymph nodes, and from there travel to any part of the body.
Source: www.ehealthmd.com
Will irregularity in eating cause cancer of the stomach?
There is no scientific evidence that it will, since cancer of stomach may occur in people who eat most regularly.
Source: bareillycancertrust.com
How does a person eat after surgery for stomach cancer?
A person who has surgery for stomach cancer will likely meet with a registered dietitian to discuss what they can and cannot eat during and after treatment. After a partial gastrectomy, where only part of the stomach is removed, most people will be able to eat much the same way they did before. Although they may have to make some changes to the way they eat. A person who has had a total gastrectomy has had their whole stomach removed. ...
Source: www.healthline.com
Should everyone get a second opinion for a diagnosis of stomach cancer?
Many people with cancer get a second opinion from another doctor. There are many reasons to get a second opinion. Here are some of those reasons. Not feeling comfortable with the treatment decision
Being diagnosed with a rare type of cancer
Having several options for how to treat the cancer
Not being able to see a cancer expert
Source: www.healthline.com
Is there an increase chance of stomach cancer after RY gastric bypass?
We do not know whether the RY gastric bypass increases or for that matter decreases the chance for stomach cancer. So far, careful patient follow-up has not shown evidence for an increased risk.
Source: www.weightlosssurgery.ca
If stomach cancer spreads to another organ, is it still stomach cancer, or something else?
When stomach cancer spreads to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same name and the same kind of abnormal cells as the original tumor. For example, if stomach cancer spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells are still stomach cancer cells, even though they are found in the lung.
Source: www.ehealthmd.com
Is there any correlation between gastritis and incidence of stomach cancer in India?
There is little data coming from India about this subject, however in India and the Middle East, the relationship between H. pylori and gastric cancer is less strong than in Asian countries. Diet probably has a major effect on the expression of cancer risk from H. pylori .
Source: www.helico.com
Is there a link between H. pylori and stomach cancer? Is it hereditary?
Please read the information on stomach cancer . Stomach cancer is hereditary but some of this inheritance may be because H. pylori is spread around in the family from parents to children.
Source: www.helico.com
How can you tell whether stomach distress comes from colon cancer or a less serious disease?
Less serious diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis or even the flu may cause digestive symptoms and bowel changes that are similar to those of colon cancer. If you are concerned about bowel or digestive symptoms, seek medical advice as soon as possible. The only way to know if the condition is caused by cancer is to undergo testing. Q: Don't hemorrhoids , not colon cancer, cause rectal bleeding usually? A: True, hemorrhoids are a common cause of rectal bleeding. ...
Source: www.ehealthmd.com
