Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
What Is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, typically begins in the mucosal lining of the stomach and can grow into deeper layers or spread to other organs. It often develops slowly over many years and may go unnoticed in early stages.
Symptoms
Early symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other issues:
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Bloating after meals
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling full after eating small amounts
- Weight loss
- Fatigue or weakness
- Vomiting blood or blood in stool (in later stages)
Causes and Risk Factors
- H. pylori infection – a major risk factor causing chronic inflammation
- Smoking
- Family history of stomach cancer
- Diet – high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods; low in fruits/vegetables
- Previous stomach surgery
- Pernicious anemia
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Genetic syndromes – such as Lynch syndrome or hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (CDH1 mutation)
Diagnosis
- Endoscopy: A thin tube with a camera looks inside the stomach
- Biopsy: Tissue sample taken during endoscopy for lab testing
- Imaging tests: CT scans, PET scans, or barium X-rays to detect spread
- Blood tests: To check for anemia or tumor markers
Stages of Gastric Cancer
- Stage 0: Early stage, confined to the inner lining
- Stages I–III: Cancer spreads to deeper layers and possibly lymph nodes
- Stage IV: Advanced cancer spread to distant organs
Treatment Options
- Surgery: Partial or total gastrectomy to remove the tumor and possibly surrounding lymph nodes
- Chemotherapy: Often combined with surgery to shrink tumors or kill remaining cells
- Radiation therapy: May be used with chemo or post-surgery
- Targeted therapy: For specific types, like HER2-positive cancers (e.g., trastuzumab)
- Immunotherapy: May help in advanced cases with PD-L1 positive tumors
Prevention
- Treat H. pylori infections
- Stop smoking
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Avoid high-salt, processed, and smoked foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get screened if you have a family history
