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Gastric cancer Causes and Risks:
Gastric cancer is a common cancer of the digestive tract. It occurs most frequently in men over 40 years old. The incidence of gastric cancer is extremely high in Japan, Chile, and Iceland. The incidence of stomach cancer in the USA has declined over the years. Experts propose that the decreased incidence may be related to decreased intake of salt cured and smoked foods, and the increase of Vitamin C intake.
Diagnosis is often delayed by the absence of symptoms in early disease or by self treatment of symptoms.
Risk factors for gastric cancer are family history of gastric cancer, blood type group A, history of pernicious anemia , history of chronic atrophic gastritis , condition of decreased gastric acid , history of adenomatous gastric polyp, and partial gastrectomy . The incidence is 2 out of 10,000 people.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
Surgery on the stomach ( gastrectomy ) is the only curative treatment. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be beneficial.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group and gastrointestinal disorders - support group .
Prognosis:
There is a wide variation in malignancy of gastric tumors. Ten percent of patients with surgical resection will be cured of cancer . Sources report that in Japan, where mass screenings detect gastric cancers earlier, cure rates are increased.
Complications:
A complication is the cancer spreading (metastasizing) to other organs or tissues.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of gastric cancer develop.
This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.
An upper GI series in a patient with cancer of the stomach (gastric carcinoma).
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