| Stomach cancer is common throughout the world | | | | stomach cancer can spread to the liver, the |
| and affects all races, it is more common in men | | | | pancreas, and other organs near the stomach as |
| than women, and has its peak age range | | | | well as to the lungs, the doctor may order a CT |
| between 40 and 60 years old. Stomach cancer | | | | scan, a PET scan, an endoscopic ultrasound exam, |
| mortality is higher in Japan and Chile, presumably | | | | or other tests to check these areas. |
| because of the different diets in those countries | | | | Stomach cancer can spread (metastasize) to the |
| where they are less dependent on red meat. | | | | esophagus or the small intestine, and can extend |
| Over the last 25 years the incidence of stomach | | | | through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes |
| cancer in the western world has decreased by | | | | and organs. Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of |
| 50% and the resulting death rate is less than a | | | | individuals with stomach cancer, with a five year |
| third of what it used to be but in less developed | | | | survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early |
| countries it is still a major cause of death, | | | | stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in |
| probably because in these countries by the time | | | | late stages. |
| the disease is diagnosed (usually by means of a | | | | TREATMENT |
| Barium meal) the stomach cancer is at a very | | | | Although stomach cancer may be treated with |
| advanced stage. | | | | surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, in |
| TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER | | | | many cases surgery is the treatment of choice. |
| There are several different types of stomach | | | | Even in patients whose disease is not considered |
| cancer, some of which are very rare. The most | | | | surgically curable, resection offers a palliative |
| common types of stomach cancer start in the | | | | effect and improves potential benefits from |
| glandular cells of the stomach lining | | | | chemotherapy. |
| (adenocarcinomas), this is where stomach acid | | | | The nature and extent of the cancer determines |
| and digestive enzymes are made, and where | | | | what kind of surgery is most appropriate. |
| most stomach cancers start. When the stomach | | | | Common surgical procedures include, partial and |
| cancer becomes more advanced, it can travel | | | | total removal of the stomach. |
| through the bloodstream and spread to organs | | | | Antiemetics can control nausea, which increases |
| such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Stomach | | | | as the cancer advances. In the more advanced |
| cancers that start in the lymphatic tissue | | | | stages, sedatives and tranquilizers may be |
| (lymphoma), in the stomach's muscular tissue | | | | necessary to control anxiety. Narcotics are |
| (sarcoma) or in the tissues that support the | | | | commonly necessary to control sever and |
| organs of the digestive system (gastrointestinal | | | | unremitting pain. |
| stromal tumors) are less common and are | | | | In some cases of advanced stomach cancer, a |
| treated in different ways. | | | | laser beam directed through an endoscope can |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS | | | | vaporize most of the tumor and relieve |
| Early clues to stomach cancer are chronic | | | | obstruction without an operation. |
| dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort, followed in | | | | PROGNOSIS |
| later stages by weight loss, anorexia, a feeling of | | | | Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but |
| fullness after eating, anemia and fatigue. Blood in | | | | most people don't seek medical help until the |
| the stools may also be present and if the Cancer | | | | disease is quite advanced, possibly because |
| is in the Cardia (top) vomiting may occur. | | | | symptoms occur late and are often vague and |
| CAUSATION | | | | non-specific. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables |
| The exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown | | | | that contain antioxidant vitamins (such as A and |
| although the presence of the Helicopter pylori | | | | C) appears to lower the risk of stomach cancer. |
| bacterium seems to be a major factor. | | | | The rate of stomach cancer is about doubled in |
| Predisposing factors include environmental | | | | smokers so the cessation of smoking is essential. |
| influences such as smoking and high alcohol intake. | | | | In the United States and most of the Western |
| Because stomach cancer is more common | | | | world, the 5-year survival rate ranges from |
| amongst those with a family history and with | | | | 5-15%. In Japan, where stomach cancer often is |
| people with type A blood, genetic factors are also | | | | diagnosed early, the 5 year survival rate is about |
| implicated. Dietary factors, particularly methods of | | | | 50%. Five year survival rates for more advanced |
| food preservation such as pickling, smoking or | | | | stomach cancers range from, around 20% for |
| salting also have an influence on the prevalence of | | | | those with regional disease to almost nil for those |
| stomach cancer. | | | | with distant metastases. |
| DIAGNOSIS | | | | Treatment for metastatic stomach cancer can |
| Stomach cancer is diagnosed through an | | | | relieve symptoms and sometimes prolong |
| examination that may include an upper | | | | survival, but long remissions are not common. The |
| gastrointestinal (GI) series; endoscopy or | | | | survival of inoperable stomach cancer is usually |
| gastroscopy where a thin flexible tube is passed | | | | only a few months if untreated. With |
| down the throat so the doctor can see into the | | | | chemotherapy the average survival is about 12 |
| stomach, esophagus and upper part of the bowel | | | | months. If cancer is found before it has spread, |
| Barium meals and Barium swallows. Because | | | | the five-year relative survival rate is about 61%. |