Stomach Cancer Symptoms And Signs

Because in the initial phase of stomach cancer often or hardly (stomach) complaints and (stomach) pain are present, the disease is often discovered at an advanced stage. The chance of survival is the very low. The main stomach cancer symptoms and signs are:

• Decreased appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Have a full sense of feeling.
• Nausea and vomiting (sometimes of blood).
• Dislike some food.
• Pain in your upper abdomen.
• Blood loss from the stomach, which can cause black stools.
• Dizziness and fatigue from anemia.
• Builder.
• Passage complaints (associated with obstruction in the stomach).

If you have suffered from two or more of the above stomach cancer symptoms and signs for more than two weeks, it is advisable to consult a doctor.



Cause of stomach cancer

The exact cause of gastric cancer is not yet known. In about 3 to 5% of cases, heredity seems to play a role. Stomach cancer can also originate from a polyp. Most polyps are benign, but some may grow into a tumor in the stomach. Stomach cancer can also be a consequence of a chronic inflammation of your stomach mucosa (a stomach ulcer). This inflammation can permanently change your gastric mucosa, causing a malignant tumor. Chronic inflammation can be caused by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. This bacterium only occurs in your stomach.

The stomach cancer risk factors can also be increased by the following risk factors:

• Smoking.
• Alcohol.
• Unhealthy and/or unilateral nutrition.
• Stomach surgery
• Excessively smoked and salty foods.
• Infection with Helicobacter pylori.
• A certain type of anemia.
• Overweight (especially in the esophagus area).

Diagnosis of stomach cancer

The diagnosis can be made through a gastroscopy. In this study, the physician looks into your stomach through a hose with a camera that is inserted through the esophagus. A biopsy can also be taken to investigate the tissue. In addition, in order to determine the stage of the disease, other studies are usually performed:

• Blood test to determine anemia.
• CT scans to determine possible sowing.
• Endo-ultrasound to determine the size of the tumor.

It is very important to recognize the condition at the earliest possible stage, as there may not be any sowing in your body.

*Image source : Wikimedia Commons

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Mayo Clinic
3. American Cancer Society
4. Gezondheidsplein.nl