Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of stomach cancer. It forms in the glandular tissue of the stomach lining. Almost all stomach cancers (about 95%) start in this tissue.
Several factors affect the risk of developing gastric cancer. Diet, a condition called Helicobacter pylori infection, and other conditions that affect the body’s stomach cells can increase your risk of developing this type of cancer.
Certain tests can help your doctor find out if you have stomach cancer and what kind it is. The tests can also help your doctor find out how advanced the cancer is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Tests can also help your doctor decide what treatment to give you. The tests may include a scan of the whole stomach or part of the stomach (esophagus, small intestine, and parts of the spleen), an ultrasound test to look for lumps in the lining of the stomach, or a blood test that can show whether you have a certain type of tumor in your stomach.
The stage of the tumor, whether it is in the stomach only or has spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body, is important when planning treatment. When the tumor has not spread to other parts of the body, it is stage 0 and usually does not need surgery. When the tumor has spread to other parts of the body, it may need a surgery called a subtotal or total gastrectomy.
If the surgery isn’t done properly, a cancer that was missed during the surgery could come back. After the surgery, chemo or chemoradiation may be given to try to kill any remaining cancer cells that aren’t killed by the surgery.
Your doctor may recommend a special test called a CAT scan or CT scan to see how much of the stomach has cancer. This test can show if the cancer has spread to other parts of the stomach, the esophagus or small intestine, and nearby lymph nodes.
This test can also be used to find out if the cancer is HER2-positive. HER2-positive cancers are treated with monoclonal antibodies that target HER2 proteins.
Symptoms of HER2-positive gastric cancer can include indigestion and stomach discomfort or pain. Other symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing.
Other signs of HER2-positive cancer can include red, swollen, or tender lymph nodes in the esophagus or small or large bowel. These symptoms may be easier to notice in people who have more than one type of HER2-positive cancer or people who are older.
Another sign of HER2-positive cancer is that the HER2 genes in the tumor are more active than normal. This can be a sign of an aggressive form of the disease that may need to be treated with a special drug.
The treatment for HER2-positive cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is and what kind it is. If the cancer is in the esophagus or stomach, a specialized treatment called a tumor vaccine may be needed to stop the growth of the cancer before it grows out of control and spreads to other parts of the body.