Stomach Cancer

What is stomach or gastric cancer?

Stomach wall consists of five layers:

Mucosa is the innermost layer where most of the stomach cancer grows.
Next, the supporting layer is called submucosa.
Outside of submucosa layer, a thick layer of muscles that mix the content of the stomach is called muscularis propria.
Other two outer layers that wrapped the stomach are the subserosa and the outermost serosa.

These layers are very important to identify the stage of the stomach or gastric cancer. As the cancers begin at mucosa and develop into the deeper layer, the prognosis gets worse. Different types of gastric or stomach cancer include:

Adenocarcinoma, this type of cancer starts from the mucosa, the innermost lining of the stomach. About 90-95% stomach cancers are adenocarcinoma.
Lymphoma, this type of cancer grows into the immune system tissue of the wall of the stomach. Only about 4% of the stomach cancers is lymphoma.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), tumor that forms in the interstitial cells of the wall of the stomach with malignancy called the gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Though, GIST can be formed at any place in the digestive tract, mostly found in the stomach. This is a very rare type of cancer.
Carcinoid tumor, tumor that forms in hormone-making cells of cancer with malignancy called carcinoid tumor. Only 3% of the stomach cancers are the carcinoid tumor.

What are the causes of gastric or stomach cancer?

Ulcers caused by common bacteria, H. Pylori.
Chronic Gastritis, an inflammation takes place in your gut.
Pernicious anemia.
Polyps formed in the stomach with malignant growth.
Being obese or overweight may cause the growth of cancer cell in the stomach.
Salty, pickled and smoked diet also may risk developing an abnormality in stomach cell causing cancer.
An earlier history of surgery for ulcer in the stomach may cause a growth of cancer cell.
Working in rubber, metal, timber, asbestos and coal industries may cause risk exposure to gastric cancer.

What are the symptoms of stomach or gastric cancer?

Stomach cancer typically has no early symptoms. Therefore, unfortunately, people often do not feel anything wrong is going on until the stomach reached an advanced stage. However, following symptoms which are happening consistently require immediate attention to a doctor for further investigation:

Frequent heartburn
Nausea and vomiting
Constant bloating
Loss of appetite
Early satiety
Jaundice
Blood in stool
Stomach pain
Excessive fatigue

What are the treatments for stomach gastric cancer?

Once the stomach cancer is detected,the treatment is individualized to the type and stage of disease:

Surgery
Endoscopic mucosal resection, removal of the tumors from the inner lining of the stomach made surgically at the early stage.
Subtotal gastrectomy, a portion of the stomach is removed surgically.
Total gastrectomy, entire stomach is removed surgically.
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy

FAQs

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, begins in the inner lining (mucosa) of the stomach. Around 90-95% of cases are adenocarcinoma. Less common types include lymphoma, GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) and carcinoid tumors, which develop in different layers of the stomach wall.

Several factors can increase the risk of stomach cancer. These include long-term infection with Helicobacter pylori, chronic gastritis, pernicious anemia, stomach polyps and obesity. Diets high in salty or smoked foods, previous stomach surgery and exposure to certain industrial chemicals (like in rubber, metal, timber or coal industries) can also play a role.

In the early stages, stomach cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, symptoms may include frequent heartburn, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, early satiety, stomach pain, fatigue, jaundice or blood in the stool. Because these symptoms can be subtle at first, they are often overlooked.

Stomach cancer staging depends on how deeply the tumor has spread through the stomach wall. It starts in the mucosa (innermost layer), then may spread to the submucosa, muscularis propria, subserosa and finally the serosa (outermost layer). The deeper the cancer spreads, the more advanced it is and the more complex the treatment becomes.

Dr. Parthasarathy is experienced in managing stomach cancer. Treatment may include procedures like endoscopic removal in early stages or partial (subtotal) or complete (total) removal of the stomach in advanced cases. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be used depending on the stage of the disease.