While symptoms of stomach cancer vary from person to person, they can also be a symptom of another condition. The signs and symptoms of stomach cancer depend on the location of the tumor and its extent into nearby tissue. If the cancer has spread, other symptoms may appear such as a swollen or painful stomach. The pain may be mild in the beginning but may increase in intensity over time. If it continues to grow without treatment, stomach cancer may spread to other organs.
People with a family history of stomach cancer are at a high risk. They are more likely to develop the disease if a first-degree relative has had it. In addition, the family history of stomach cancer may be impacted if there is a gene mutation associated with known risk factors. Another risk factor is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, which may be associated with predisposition to the disease. Inflammation and poor diet can contribute to stomach cancer.
Smoking and alcohol consumption increase your risk of developing stomach cancer. People with type A blood are also more likely to develop it. Excessive intake of salted and smoked foods can also increase the risk. People with certain inherited diseases, such as Lynch syndrome, have a higher risk of stomach cancer than others. And those with certain blood types are also at an increased risk of developing the disease. The main cause of stomach cancer is obesity, but the right lifestyle can reduce your risk.
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage. It may include surgery that removes part or all of the stomach and lymph nodes located nearby. After surgery, chemotherapy or chemoradiation may be necessary. This treatment will help shrink the tumor before surgery and kill the cancer cells that have spread. You should also discuss any possible side effects with your healthcare team. It is important to remember that stomach cancer treatment is highly personalized and unique to each patient.
Stomach cancer begins in the mucosa layer of the stomach. As the cancer spreads, it may invade surrounding tissue and block food passage. The tumor may even break off and spread to other parts of the body. The most common parts affected by stomach cancer are the main part of the stomach and the distal part of the stomach, which is also known as the cardia. While stomach cancer rates are on the decline, it is still a serious condition to have.
Depending on the type of stomach cancer, the stage of the disease varies from patient to patient. If it has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, stomach cancer is stage 1A. If cancer has spread to lymph nodes, it is likely stage II. If it has spread to distant organs, it is likely stage III or IV. Surgical treatment is the primary treatment for stage 1 stomach cancer. In some cases, stomach cancer may not have spread to lymph nodes.
