Overview

How do you get stomach cancer?

Whereas the causes of stomach cancer are not clearly understood, risk factors for cancer have been studied extensively. These include faulty dietary habits like high salt intake, preserved meat, lifestyle habits like smoking, obesity, environmental factors like infection by Helicobacter pylori, Epstein Barr virus. Medical conditions like pernicious anemia, gastroesophageal reflux, gastric polyp also increase the risk of gastric cancers. Certain genetic risk factors predispose to stomach cancer increase the risk of familial gastric cancer.

Is stomach cancer curable?

If identified in early stages, stomach cancer is curable and in very early stages, it is possible to remove it by endoscopic techniques like endoscopic mucosal resection or submucosal dissection in selected individuals.


Cure in cancer is stated as 5-year survival. When cancer is confined to the stomach, the 5-year survival nearly reaches 70%, but once it spreads to adjacent areas or lymph nodes this drops to about 30%. With the advent of multimodality treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and precision oncology, the survival and quality of life have been increasing.

Where does stomach cancer spread first?

Stomach cancer spreads to lymph nodes around the stomach and from thereon to the next level of lymph nodes with key blood vessels supplying the stomach and adjacent organs. Spread beyond these lymph nodes is considered as the distant spread.


Another common area of spread beside adjacent organs like the intestine and pancreas is to the abdominal cavity and its lining producing deposits and fluid within the abdomen called ascites. These are advanced forms of cancer.

Types of stomach cancers

The commonest type of stomach cancer is carcinoma, arising from the rapid multiplication of the cells lining the stomach wall. Other less frequent tumours include lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumour, neuroendocrine or carcinoid tumour.

Symptoms

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Symptoms of stomach cancer


  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Indigestion
  • Early satiety
  • Abdominal fullness after eating
  • Acidity
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • The passage of melanic (black, tarry) stools
  • Blood in contents of vomiting
  • Backache

Prevention

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Stomach cancer can be prevented by following healthy dietary habits, lifestyle changes and paying attention to warning symptoms.


Including antioxidants and vitamins from consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, exercising regularly and maintaining the appropriate body weight according to one’s height are important aspects to focus on.


High-risk individuals and those with any of the symptoms must seek professional advice from a gastroenterologist and assess the need for endoscopy or scan.

Winning Over Cancer

Dr. Ashwathy Mathew, Consultant - Radiation Oncologist at APCC and our expert in Gastrointestinal oncology explains how Proton therapy is an effective treatment in Gastrointestinal cancers.

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Dr. Smarajit Patnaik from Bhubaneswar underwent proton therapy at Apollo proton cancer centre under the guidance of Dr. Ashwathy, Radiation Oncologist, APCC. Dr Smarajit Patnaik says "Thank you for making me feel safe & comfortable and taking utmost care during COVID-19". He also appreciated the quick action taken by the doctors & the professional & warm environment in the hospital.

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Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Lead - Medical Oncologist at APCC, who specializes in GI Cancers talks about Pancreatic Cancer in this video. She outlines the risk factors, symptoms and the way forward for testing & treatment associated with this specific disease.

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Other Gastrointestinal Cancers

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