Stomach cancer - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Stomach cancer is common worldwide and affects all races, it is more common in men than in women, and has its peak between 40 and 60 years old. Gastric cancer mortality is higher in Japan and Chile, presumably because of differences in diet in these countries where they are less dependent on red meat.

Over the past 25 years the incidence of gastric cancer in the western world has decreased by 50% and the resulting mortality rate is less than oneThirds of what it once was, but in less developed countries it is still one of the leading causes of death, probably because diagnoses in these countries through the period of the disease (usually by a barium meal) the stomach is in a very advanced stage.

TYPES of gastric cancer

There are different types of gastric cancer, some of which are very rare. The most common types of stomach cancer start in the glandular cells of the gastric mucosa(Adenocarcinoma), this is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made, and where most stomach cancer to start. If the gastric cancer will be further advanced, it can spread through the bloodstream and travel of organs like the liver, lungs and bones. Gastric cancer that start in the lymphatic tissue (lymphoma), in which the stomach muscles (sarcoma) or in the tissues that support the organs of the digestive system) are (gastrointestinal stromal tumors are less frequent andtreated in different ways.

Signs and symptoms
Early indications of stomach cancer are chronic dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort, in the later stages of weight loss, anorexia, a feeling of fullness after eating, anemia and fatigue. Blood in the stool can also be present and if the cancer is in the cardia (above occur) vomiting.

CAUSATION
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not known that the presence of the Helicopter pylori bacteriumseems to be an important factor. Predisposing factors include environmental factors such as smoking and high alcohol consumption. Because gastric cancer is more common in people with families and people with blood type A are also involved genetic factors. Dietary factors, including the methods of food preservation such as pickling, smoking or salting also have an influence on the incidence of gastric cancer.

DIAGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is diagnosedby a test one, that can include upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, endoscopy or gastroscopy where a thin, flexible tube is passed, the neck is down, the doctor in the stomach, esophagus and the upper part of the bowel barium meals and barium swallows to see. Because stomach cancer can spread to the liver, pancreas and other organs near the stomach as well as the lung, the doctor may review a CT scan, a PET scan, endoscopic ultrasound or other tests,these areas.

Stomach cancer can spread (metastasize) to the esophagus or small intestine, and can through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs should be extended. Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of patients with gastric cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 75% in the early stages of diagnosed and diagnosed less than 30% of respondents in the late stages.

TREATMENT
Although gastric cancer can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy inmany cases, surgery is the treatment of choice. Even in patients whose disease is not considered surgically curable, resection offers a palliative effect and improves the potential benefits of chemotherapy.

The nature and extent of the cancer determines what kind of surgery is best suited. Common surgical procedures include partial or complete removal of the stomach.
Antiemetics can control nausea, which increases as the cancer advances. In the more advanced stagesSedatives and tranquilizers may be necessary to control anxiety. Drugs are often necessary to separate and control unremitting pain.
In some cases of advanced gastric cancer, a laser beam is directed through an endoscope can vaporize most of the tumor and relieve obstruction without an operation.

PROGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but most people do not want medical help until the disease is quite advanced, possibly because the symptomsoccur late and are often vague and nonspecific. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidant vitamins (eg A and C) appears to reduce the risk of stomach cancer too. The rate of gastric cancer among smokers is approximately double the cessation of smoking is essential.

In the United States and most of the Western world, is the 5-year survival rate between 5-15%. In Japan, where gastric cancer is often diagnosed early, the 5-year survival rate is around 50%.Five-year survival for advanced gastric cancer range from approximately 20% for regional disease to almost zero for those with distant metastases.

Treatment for metastatic gastric cancer can relieve symptoms and prolong survival, at times, but long remissions are not common. The survival of inoperable stomach cancer is usually only a few months if not treated. With chemotherapy the average survival time is approximately 12 months. If cancer is found beforeit has spread, the five-year survival is around 61%.

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