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The stomach is located around the midway point of the digestive tract, with the mouth, throat and esophagus above it and the small intestines, colon and anus below it. For the past several decades, rates of stomach cancer appear to be declining. The stomach is made of different layers. The mucosa is the innermost layer. It makes stomach acid and the enzymes that digest food. Most stomach cancers start in the mucosa. There’s also a thick muscle layer that helps mix up food.
WHAT IS STOMACH CANCER?
- Adenocarcinoma – forms in the inner layer of the stomach.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) – GIST forms in cells inside the stomach wall called the interstitial cells of Cajal.
- Carcinoid tumours – Forms through the cells in the stomach that make hormones.
Some common symptoms are:
- Feeling bloated or full after eating small amounts
- This may be similar to heartburn or indigestion.
- Nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, the vomit may contain blood.
- Stomach pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Age – More common in people older than 55 years old
- Gender – Affect men twice as often as women
- Genetics – Individuals who have inherited BRCA1 & BRCA2 genetic mutations are at an increased risk of stomach cancer.
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Infections
- Treatment
Types
- Adenocarcinoma – forms in the inner layer of the stomach.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) – GIST forms in cells inside the stomach wall called the interstitial cells of Cajal.
- Carcinoid tumours – Forms through the cells in the stomach that make hormones.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms are:
- Feeling bloated or full after eating small amounts
- This may be similar to heartburn or indigestion.
- Nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, the vomit may contain blood.
- Stomach pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
Factors
- Age – More common in people older than 55 years old
- Gender – Affect men twice as often as women
- Genetics – Individuals who have inherited BRCA1 & BRCA2 genetic mutations are at an increased risk of stomach cancer.
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Infections
- Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosing stomach cancer includes:
X-ray
That highlights the abnormal part of the bone on its location, size, and shape of bone tumour.
Computed tomography (CT) scan
To reveal detailed images of your abdomen. These tests help our doctors determine where the cancer is in the stomach and whether it has spread to other abdominal organs.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
To help doctors stage stomach cancer.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
To help doctors determine the stage of the disease and whether it has spread.
Biopsy
To determine whether cancer cells are in the stomach.
Ultrasound
Used if the fluid is found in your abdomen and to check for tumours that have spread to other organs.
Staging
Stomach cancer staging progresses from stage 0 to stage 4, where the tumor starts in the mucosa and gradually invades deeper layers, reaching the serosa and potentially spreading to nearby organs and distant sites:
Treatment
Treatment options for stomach cancer require comprehensive and innovative diagnostic imaging to determine appropriate treatment for each patient. Treatment options for stomach cancer inclusive of:
Surgery
To remove all of cancer and a margin of healthy tissue including relevant lymph nodes.
Radiotherapy
to kill any cancer cells that might remain after stomach cancer surgery, alleviate pain and stop bleeding or shrink tumours that may be blocking the digestive tract.
Chemotherapy
To shrink tumour to make surgery easier and improve the outcome of treatment.
Targeted therapy
For patients with advanced stomach cancer whose cancer cells tested positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).