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Stomach Cancer

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates there’ll be approximately 28,000 new cases of stomach cancer in 2017. The NCI also estimates that stomach cancer is 1.7 percent of new cancer cases in the United States.

While stomach cancer is relatively rare compared to other types of cancer, one of the biggest dangers of this disease is the difficulty of diagnosing it. Since stomach cancer usually doesn’t cause any early symptoms, it often goes undiagnosed until after it spreads to other parts of the body. This makes it more difficult to treat.

Though stomach cancer can be hard to diagnose and treat, it’s important to get the knowledge you need to beat the disease.

What causes stomach cancer?

Your stomach (along with the esophagus) is just one part of the upper section of your digestive tract. Your stomach is responsible for digesting food and then moving the nutrients along to the rest of your digestive organs, namely the small and large intestines.

Stomach cancer occurs when normally healthy cells within the upper digestive system become cancerous and grow out of control, forming a tumor. This process happens slowly. Stomach cancer tends to develop over many years.

Risk factors of stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is directly linked to tumors in the stomach. However, there are some factors that might increase your risk of developing these cancerous cells. These risk factors include certain diseases and conditions, such as:

  1. lymphoma (a group of blood cancers)
  2. H. pylori bacterial infections (a common stomach infection that can sometimes lead to ulcers)
  3. tumors in other parts of the digestive system
  4. stomach polyps (abnormal growths of tissue that form on the lining of the stomach)

Stomach cancer is also more common among:

  1. older adults, usually people 50 years and older
  2. men
  3. smokers
  4. people with a family history of the disease
  5. people who are of Asian (especially Korean or Japanese), South American, or Belarusian descent

While your personal medical history can impact your risk of developing stomach cancer, certain lifestyle factors can also play a role. You may be more likely to get stomach cancer if you:

  1. eat a lot of salty or processed foods
  2. eat too much meat
  3. have a history of alcohol abuse
  4. don’t exercise
  5. don’t store or cook food properly

You may want to consider getting a screening test if you believe you’re at risk for developing stomach cancer. Screening tests are performed when people are at risk for certain diseases but don’t show symptoms yet.

Symptoms of stomach cancer

According to the NCI, there are typically no early signs or symptoms of stomach cancer. Unfortunately, this means that people often don’t know anything is wrong until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Some of the most common symptoms of advanced stomach cancer are:

  1. nausea and vomiting
  2. frequent heartburn
  3. loss of appetite, sometimes accompanied by sudden weight loss
  4. constant bloating
  5. early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount)
  6. bloody stools
  7. jaundice
  8. excessive fatigue
  9. stomach pain, which may be worse after meals

How is it diagnosed?

Since people with stomach cancer rarely show symptoms in the early stages, the disease is often not diagnosed until it’s more advanced.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first perform a physical exam to check for any abnormalities. They may also order a blood test, including a test for the presence of H. pylori bacteria.

More diagnostic tests will need to be done if your doctor believes that you show signs of stomach cancer. Diagnostic tests specifically look for suspected tumors and other abnormalities in the stomach and esophagus. These tests may include:

  • an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
  • a biopsy
  • imaging tests, such as CT scans and X-rays

    • Treating stomach cancer

    Traditionally, stomach cancer is treated with one or more of the following:

    1. chemotherapy
    2. radiation therapy
    3. surgery
    4. immunotherapy, such as vaccines and medication

    Your exact treatment plan will depend on the origin and stage of the cancer. Age and overall health can also play a role.

    Aside from treating cancer cells in the stomach, the goal of treatment is to prevent the cells from spreading. Stomach cancer, when left untreated, may spread to the:

    1. lungs
    2. lymph nodes
    3. bones
    4. liver

    Preventing stomach cancer

    Stomach cancer alone can’t be prevented. However, you can lower your risk of developing all cancers by:

    1. maintaining a healthy weight
    2. eating a balanced, low-fat diet
    3. quitting smoking
    4. exercising regularly

    In some cases, doctors may even prescribe medications that can help lower the risk of stomach cancer. This is usually done for people who have other diseases that may contribute to the cancer.

    You may also want to consider getting an early screening test. This test can be helpful in detecting stomach cancer. Your doctor may use one of the following screening tests to check for signs of stomach cancer:

    1. physical exam
    2. lab tests, such as blood and urine tests
    3. imaging procedures, such as X-rays and CT scans
    4. genetic test