The first is called endoscopic mucosal resection. The second is called endoscopic submucosal resection. Each type depends on the location of the tumor and the opinion of a physician. In endoscopic submucosal resection, part of the stomach is removed. The third type of surgery is called distal gastrectomy. Both of these procedures remove part of the stomach.
When stomach cancer cells break away from the stomach, the oxygen in the blood decreases. Blood flow to the stomach is affected, and cancer cells will cause a sever lack of oxygen to the body. The diminished oxygen supply makes a person feel tired and weak. Because the stomach is a part of the gastrointestinal tract, cancer can also obstruct it, causing vomiting or diarrhea. A change in bowel habits is a warning sign of stomach cancer. You should get medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.
The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which represents 95% of all cases. Once the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, stomach cancer is now the sixteenth most common cancer. In California, over 3000 new cases are expected each year, and nearly a third occur in Los Angeles county. As the cancer spreads, it can affect nearby lymph nodes or spread to distant organs.
Gastric cancer is diagnosed through a series of tests. First, an endoscopy is performed. This involves drinking a barium liquid, which coats the stomach, esophagus, and first part of the small intestine. X-rays are then taken of the area. The barium coating thins out when the stomach contains air, so the endoscopy can pick up any abnormalities.
The risk of developing stomach cancer increases with age. It is most common in men over 65. Smoked and salted foods increase the risk. Vitamin B12 and selenium deficiencies can also increase the risk. Other risk factors include familial adenomatous polyposis and pernicious anemia, which makes it harder to absorb vitamin B12.
The survival rate of stage 4 stomach cancer is only twenty percent. But it can go higher, with up to seventy percent of people living one year after diagnosis. The sooner the cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of recovery are. In addition to the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, the patient’s general health and fitness level also play a major role in the prognosis. The earlier stomach cancer is detected, the better chance it has of cure.
Other types of stomach cancer are lymphomas and gastrointestinal tumors. Aside from melanoma, lymphomas affect the immune system. These tumors usually originate from immune system cells. Another type is the carcinoid tumor, which starts in the connective tissues of the stomach. In general, it does not spread outside the stomach. The treatment options for this type of cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
