A friend of mine was diagnosed of stomach cancer

I want to thank you and Daily Trust profusely for your continuous commitment to enlightening readers about health. Last week you discussed cancer of the Liver.  Please, a friend of mine was diagnosed with stomach cancer recently. Kindly share simple information about the condition for your teeming readers. Serah K.   Thanks Serah for your […]

I want to thank you and Daily Trust profusely for your continuous commitment to enlightening readers about health. Last week you discussed cancer of the Liver.  Please, a friend of mine was diagnosed with stomach cancer recently. Kindly share simple information about the condition for your teeming readers.

Serah K.

 

Thanks Serah for your question and wishing your friend quick recovery. Stomach cancer usually begins in the mucus-producing cells that line the stomach. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma.

What are the symptoms?

• Fatigue and feeling bloated after eating.
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food.
• Severe, persistent heartburn and indigestion.
• Unexplained, persistent nausea and vomiting .
• Stomach pain and unintentional weight loss.

What are the causes?

• In general, cancer begins when an error (mutation) occurs in a cell’s DNA. The mutation causes the cell to grow and divide at a rapid rate and to continue living when a normal cell would die. The accumulating cancerous cells form a tumor that can invade nearby structures. And cancer cells can break off from the tumor to spread throughout the body.
• Gastroesophageal junction cancer is associated with having gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), a condition caused by frequent backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus.
• There is a strong correlation between a diet high in smoked and salted foods and stomach cancer located in the main part of the stomach.

What are the risk factors?

• History of gastrointestinal reflux disease and obesity.
• A diet high in salty and smoked foods.
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables.
• Family history of stomach cancer.
• Infection with Helicobacter pylori.
• Long-term stomach inflammation and Pernicious anemia.
• Smoking and stomach polyps.

What are the preventive measures?

It’s not clear what causes gastroesophageal junction or stomach cancer, but you can take steps to reduce your risk by:

• Regular exercise is associated with a reduced risk of stomach cancer.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce the amount of salty and smoked foods you eat.
• Stop smoking.

How to diagnose?

• Endoscopy: A thin tube containing a tiny camera is passed down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor can look for signs of cancer. If any suspicious areas are found, a piece of tissue can be collected for analysis (biopsy).
• Imaging tests: Tests may include CT and positron emission tomography (PET).
• Exploratory surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery to look for signs that your cancer has spread beyond your esophagus or stomach. Exploratory surgery is usually done laparoscopically.

Treatment options

Your treatment options for gastroesophageal junction cancer or stomach cancer depends on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your preferences.

• Surgery: Gastroesophageal junction cancer that has not spread requires surgery to remove the part of the esophagus or stomach where the tumor is located.
• Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells or that direct your immune system to kill cancer cells (immunotherapy).
• Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness.