Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

 Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is cancer that begins in the stomach. Most stomach cancers develop slowly over many years, and therefore symptoms often go unnoticed.

The cells that make up the tumor determine the type of stomach or gastric cancer you have. Most gastric cancers start in the glandular cells of the stomach and are called adenocarcinoma, the most common form of gastric cancer. Other types of gastric cancer include lymphoma, which begins in the immune system; carcinoid cancer, which begins in hormone-producing cells; and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which begins in the tissues of the nervous system. There are also other, rarer types of gastric cancer.

What to look for

Stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. While it's difficult to spot early, there are still a few signs to watch out for. Symptoms of stomach cancer include:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in the stool
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Low red blood cell count
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Swelling or fluid buildup
• Vague discomfort in the abdomen
• Vomiting
• Weight loss without trying

Many of these symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, such as a stomach ulcer or a virus. If symptoms persist or get worse, call your healthcare professional for a visit.

Risk factors for stomach cancer

Some risk factors can be attributed to lifestyle and, therefore, can be modified. However, there are also risk factors that cannot be controlled. Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will get the disease, but scientists have found several risk factors that increase a person's chance of developing stomach cancer. Are:

Gender: it is more common in men than in women.

• More common in Hispanic, African, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent than Caucasians.
• People with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma are at increased risk.
• Diets with a large amount of smoked, salted meat and fish and pickled vegetables.
• Smoking increases the risk
• Being overweight or obese is a possible cause of gastric cancer.

Treatment for stomach cancer

Tests and procedures used to diagnose gastric cancer may include an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, imaging tests such as a CT scan, and a special X-ray called a barium swallow test. Sometimes exploratory surgery is needed to fully understand the stage and extent of gastric cancer, helping to determine the best course of treatment.

There are a few main options that doctors use to treat stomach cancer. These options include:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Surgery
• Targeted therapy

Your team of doctors will include a gastroenterologist, surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist.