Stomach Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the stomach.  This form of cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach but in most cases around the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach (the stomach body).



Symptoms


Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include:

  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Feeling bloated
  • Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
  • Heartburn
  • Vomiting

Causes


It's still unclear as to what causes stomach cancer, but research has identified many factors that can increase the risk.


Doctors know that stomach cancer begins when a cell in the stomach develops changes in its DNA.  The changes tell the cell to grow quickly and to continue living when healthy cells would die. 


Factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer are:

  • Obesity
  • Family history of stomach cancer
  • Smoking
  • A diet high in salty and smoked foods
  • A diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • Stomach polyps

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Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis


The tests  used to diagnose stomach cancer include: 

  • An upper endoscopy - this is when a thin tube containing a tiny camera is passed down your throat and into your stomach.
  • Imaging tests such as CT and a special type of x-ray.
  • Biopsy (removing a sample of tissue for testing)

Treatment


Treatment options for stomach cancer depend on a variety of different factors. For example, the location of the cancer, the stage and aggressiveness are all taken into consideration before treatment. Your doctor will also consider your overall health and your preferences when creating a treatment plan.


Treatments for stomach cancer include:


  • Chemotherapy - a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. 
  • Radiation therapy - which uses high powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy - a drug treatment that helps your immune system to fight cancer.
  • Targeted drug treatments - which focus on specific weaknesses within the cancer cells and blocks those weaknesses so it can cause cancer cells to die. 
  • Operations that can remove cancer cells, a part of the stomach or even the whole stomach altogether.

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Gastroenterology Department

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