Gastric cancer, another name for stomach cancer, is a kind of cancer that begins as a cell growth in the stomach which is located directly below the ribs in the upper central region of the abdomen. The stomach aids in the digestion and breakdown of meals.
Every area of the stomach is susceptible to cancer. Stomach cancers often affect the major portion of the stomach. The gastroesophageal junction is a more likely site of stomach cancer initiation. This is the point where the stomach and the esophagus that takes food into the stomach are joined.
Stomach cancer begins in the lining of your stomach and spreads gradually. If left untreated, it may develop into a tumor that grows further into the walls of your stomach. The cancer may also spread to the two adjacent organs namely pancreas and liver.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Gastric cancer symptoms might include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach ache
- Feeling satiated after consuming modest amounts of food
- When you should be hungry, you don’t feel hungry
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Throwing up
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Black-looking stools
Early-stage stomach cancer is not usually symptomatic. Indigestion and upper abdominal discomfort are possible symptoms in the early stage. It is possible that stomach tumor symptoms do not manifest until the cancer has progressed. Symptoms of stomach cancer in its latter stages include extreme fatigue, spontaneous weight loss, throwing up blood, and dark stools.
Metastatic stomach cancer is a kind of stomach cancer that has migrated to other areas of the body. Symptoms of stomach cancer that have spread to different areas are unique to that particular area. For instance, perceptible lumps through the skin may develop if cancer progresses to the lymph nodes. There may be a yellow colouration in the skin and the whites in the pupil of the eye when cancer develops in the liver. The belly may fill with fluid if the cancer spreads inside the abdomen, leading to its enlargement.
When To Seek Consultation
Schedule a visit with Dr. Vikram Shah Batra, if you are concerned about any of the gastric cancer symptoms listed. Similar symptoms to those of gastric cancer can be produced by some illnesses. Before testing for stomach cancer, Dr. Batra may do tests for other possible reasons.
Treatment
The course of therapy for gastric cancer is customized based on your individual needs, general health, and the severity of the malignancy.
- Surgery
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- Upper Endoscopy: An upper endoscopy can be used to remove cancer that has only spread to the upper layers of the stomach in its early stages. The tumor is removed through your mouth after the gastroenterologist cuts it free from the stomach wall.
- Gastrectomy: Surgery is required if the tumor grows into tissue that is deeper than the surface. A whole gastrectomy eliminates the stomach, whereas a subtotal gastrectomy only removes the damaged portion. The esophagus and small intestine remain connected following a complete gastrectomy, allowing for continuing eating ability.
- Other Treatments
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- Chemotherapy reduces cancer cells with the use of medications, helping to get rid of them before surgery and thereafter. Targeted medication therapy can be partnered with chemotherapy, which is frequently treated with radiation.
- Radiation therapy can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy before or following surgery. It uses focused energy beams, similar to X-rays, to kill cancer cells.
- With chemo in combination, targeted medication treatment addresses the vulnerabilities of cancer cells and is frequently used to treat recurrent or advanced cancer.
- Immunotherapy, which is frequently used for recurrent or advanced cancer, strengthens the body’s ability to find and eliminate difficult cancer cells.
- When combined with other therapies, palliative care improves the way of life for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer by easing symptoms and offering extra support.
Conclusion
Although gastric cancer cannot always be prevented, it may be curable with early detection. Dr. Vikram Shah Batra could advise surgery to remove cancerous cells or tumors based on your cancer diagnosis. He could recommend a mix of therapies to either eradicate or significantly reduce the cancerous cells. Your prognosis ultimately relies on several variables that you may talk to him about. Ask questions regarding available treatment choices, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. To find out what the cancer prognosis implies for you, consult with Dr. Batra.
