Should stomach cancer be treated? It depends on a number of factors including the type of stomach cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s overall health. The treatment goal may be to cure the disease, control the spread, or alleviate its symptoms. The patient and his or her healthcare team should discuss the risks and side effects of each option before selecting one. This way, both can make the right decision for the patient. Below are some important points to keep in mind.
Stage III: This type of cancer has spread beyond the stomach’s mucosa. It may also spread to nearby structures, such as the peritoneum, liver, or adrenal gland. The tumor may have metastasized to a lymph node. Depending on the extent of its spread, stage III may be curable. There are three stages of stomach cancer: stage I, stage II, and stage III. Stage I describes the primary tumor only, while stage III includes spread to nearby tissues. In some cases, the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and distant structures.
When it’s found early, the symptoms and treatment options are excellent. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options that may help cure stomach cancer. Mass screening for stomach cancer has improved the chances of finding and treating the disease early. The goal is to decrease the number of cases and death due to the disease. A biopsy is performed in the presence of symptoms. When a diagnosis is made, the next step is to start treatment. Your healthcare provider will decide the best course of treatment for you.
Other risk factors for stomach cancer include age, diet, and certain diseases that are present during the person’s lifetime. These conditions make a person more susceptible to the development of this disease. Some of these risk factors are out of your control and may not be changeable, while others are preventable and are something you can control. You should discuss these risk factors with your healthcare provider before starting any treatment. If you think you have any of these conditions, you should consider consulting a healthcare professional to determine whether or not you are at a high risk for developing this cancer.
Some types of stomach cancer cannot be removed completely. Surgery can remove only part of the stomach affected by cancer, as well as nearby lymph nodes, tissues, and even the spleen, which filters the blood and gets rid of old blood cells. A full gastrectomy, on the other hand, removes the entire stomach, nearby lymph nodes, and adjacent lymph nodes. This allows the patient to continue eating. If, however, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the entire stomach is removed.
In addition to the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, some individuals may not experience any symptoms at all. However, these symptoms may be related to the location of the tumor, the extent of tumor growth in surrounding tissue, and the specific organs involved. It’s important to recognize the signs of stomach cancer early, as they can be mistaken for other conditions. If a person is experiencing stomach cancer symptoms, it’s vital to see a doctor immediately.
