What You Need to Know About Stomach Cancer

The stomach is located in the upper middle part below the ribs and helps in the process of breaking down and digestion of food. When cancerous cells start developing from the stomach and spread over different parts of your body, it is stomach cancer or gastric cancer. This cancer can happen in any area of the stomach, and mostly it is seen in the main part of the stomach known as the stomach body.

Treatment options for stomach cancer 

If you are diagnosed with stomach cancer, then you can Consult oncologist in India for further treatments and therapies to provide speedy recovery. The part of the stomach where cancer development has originally started is one chief factor that your doctors will evaluate when finalising a treatment plan. Types of cancer cells and stage of the cancer are other conditions they consider. 

Usually, surgery is recommended for removing the cancer cells. Therapies and medication will be given before and after the stomach cancer surgery. Success of the stomach cancer treatment is high if the cancer is diagnosed in early stages when it is in the stomach area. However, usually most of the stomach cancer is spotted only in advanced stages. Top cancer specialists in India offer quality treatment with brilliant medical care, exclusively designed for patients diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Symptoms of stomach cancer

• Stomach pain
• Trouble swallowing
• Feel bloated every time after eating
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Feel stomach full even after consuming small portions of food
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Sudden loss of weight
• Fatigue feeling
• Black stools

Stomach cancer will not cause any signs and symptoms during early cancer stages. Initially, the symptoms include pain in the upper part of the stomach and indigestion. In advanced stages you might experience fatigue feeling, loss of weight, black stools and blood vomiting as stomach cancer symptoms.

What is metastatic stomach cancer?

Metastatic stomach cancer is the stomach cancer that starts spreading to other parts of the body. Symptoms specifically depend on the particular area it has spread. For example, if the cancer has spread from your stomach to the liver you might experience white eyes and yellowing of skin. In some cases if the cancer spreads within your stomach, then your belly will be filled with fluids and look swollen. If your symptoms increase with severe pain and other health complications, then it is essential that you immediately seek the help of your physician from Top Cancer hospitals in India. 

Causes of stomach cancer 

Cause of stomach cancer is not clear, but most stomach cancers start when the inner lining of your stomach is affected with certain infections such as acid reflux causing inflammation and pain. However, not everyone with these symptoms and risk factors will get stomach cancer.

Diagnosing stomach cancer

There are various tests used for testing and diagnosing stomach cancer. Best Cancer specialist in India for accurate diagnosis and quality treatment.

• Biopsy
• Biomaker testing of the tumour
• PD-L1 and high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) test.
• Endoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• X-ray 
• Barium swallow test
• Computed tomography
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI 
• Positron emission tomography or PET-CT scan

Development of Stomach cancer 

When the inner lining of your stomach is infected and inflamed, stomach cancer occurs. This causes changes in your DNA cells, which will make the cells multiply speedily. The multiplied cells will live and occupy plenty of spaces in your stomach, while healthy cells die as a natural lifecycle. Extra cells filling the stomach will form a mass that is known as tumour. 
Cancerous cells developed in your stomach have the capacity to destroy healthy cells and body tissue. These cells penetrate and grow into the inner walls of your stomach. In a period of time, the cancer cells break and start spreading to other body parts. This process of cancer cells spreading to other parts of your body is known as metastasis. 

Types of stomach cancer

Basically, the stomach cancer type is based on the particular cell type where your cancer starts. 

1. Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer that starts developing in mucus producing cells. 
2. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours is a soft tissue sarcoma type that develops in the nerve cells found in the digestive organs and stomach wall.
3. Carcinoid tumours
Carcinoid tumours are cancerous cells that develop in the neuroendocrine cells, which are responsible for producing hormones.   
4. Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that usually develops in the cells located in your immune system. Immune system cells fight harmful and unhealthy germs. Lymphoma can sometimes occur in the stomach area, when it affects the immune system cells present in your stomach. 

Tips to prevent stomach cancer

• Eat nutritious diet

It is essential that you eat a proper healthy diet enriched with nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits. Choose diverse coloured vegetables and fruits. 

• Avoid unhealthy foods

Avoid eating smoked and salty foods to protect your stomach from being affected with cancer. 

• Avoid smoking

Smoking maximises your risk of getting stomach cancer and also various other types of cancers. Quit smoking to protect your stomach from developing cancerous cells.