Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer In Adults

Stomach cancer rarely occurs in people under 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is approximately 70 years. The disease occurs mainly in men. Perennial cancer is diagnosed in approximately 550 women and 850 men. The incidence of stomach cancer , ie the number of new cases a year, has been seen in general over the years as a whole throughout the world.

Classification of stomach cancer

The most common form of stomach cancer is the adenocarcinoma. That means that he originates in cells of the gastric mucosa.

Stomach cancer causes

There are a number of risk factors for stomach cancer .

Bacteria Helicobacter pylori
At present, in our countries, the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori appears to be the main risk factor for stomach cancer (mainly from the lower part of the stomach). This bacterium is also responsible for the occurrence of gastric ulcers, which can sometimes evolve into cancer.

But Helicobacter pylori is very common and rarely leads to cancer. The infection with Helicobacter can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Nutrition
Too high BMI , excessive alcohol consumption (especially more than 3 consumes per day), over- cooked meat products and highly salted and pickled foods can increase the risk of stomach cancer.

The carcinogenic properties of nitrates and nitrites in foods also play a role in the development of stomach cancer. Their transformation into nitrosamines in the stomach could promote the development of cancer.

Heredity
Hereditary factors also play a role, especially in families where Lynch or HNPCC syndrome (Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer) occurs.

Other
Stomach sections (surgical removal of part of the stomach) are associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also increase the risk of stomach cancer as well as occupational exposure to certain outgrowths.

Stomach cancer symptoms

Stomach cancer symptoms often only last late when cancer is over the long run. The initial evolution of stomach cancer is very discreet and usually involves no symptom. Hence the diagnosis usually happens quite late.

Epigastric pains (at the stomach) and stomach flare (burning stomach acid) are the most common symptoms. Sometimes an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, a heavy stomach, nausea and vomiting or a sense of premature saturation in place.

However, these signs do not occur exclusively in cancer and may have other causes, especially a stomach ulcer. However, if they persist, it is advisable to consult the physician.

Stomach cancer treatment

Also for this cancer, the MOC will determine the best route, but we will provide an overview of the most commonly used options below.

Surgery
Surgery is the first treatment for stomach cancer that is not advanced (if the cancer is still limited to the stomach). Depending on the situation, the stomach may be completely or partially removed (that is called total and partial gastrectomy, respectively). The surgeon then restores the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract by attaching the lower end of the esophagus to the beginning of the small intestine.

Chemotherapy
With chemotherapy , microseedings or predetermined metastases can be treated .

Depending on the intended purpose, it is possible to give the chemotherapy before or after surgery. The purpose of preoperative chemotherapy is to improve the operation.

Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is rather limited in the treatment of stomach cancer . At present there is no definitive conclusion regarding the use of radiotherapy in stomach cancer, and radiotherapy is therefore mainly used in clinical trials.

It is sometimes effective at palliative care because it combats the symptoms of obstructive complications or bleeding, or to control the pain.