What is Stomach Cancer and how is it treated?

Stomach Cancer starts when the normal cells in the body begin to grow abnormally. The normal cell cycle of the cell gets disturbed due to some mutation which leads to uncontrolled growth of cells that damage the surrounding healthy cells as well. Cancerous cells continue to grow and damages surrounding organs and hamper their function. Stomach is a muscular bag that is capable to expand like a balloon. The food we eat reaches the stomach from the esophagus and stays there for digestion. Stomach has an acidic environment to break down the food and most of the protein digestion takes place in it. Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer which can begin at any part of the stomach. Mostly, cancer affects the esophagus part that brings food especially at the junction where the esophagus and stomach meet which is also known as gastroesophageal junction. In some cases, stomach cancer spreads to the small intestine, liver, or colon. Further, in cases where the spread of stomach cancer is severe and it is confined to the stomach only, in such cases, surgical removal of the stomach is the only option left. In cases, where the cancer is confined to a particular spot, in those cases, other treatment options are recommended by the best Oncologist in Jaipur.

Symptoms:

Stomach cancer may develop gradually, and its symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other digestive issues. It's important to watch for these signs and consult a doctor if they persist.

• Stomach ache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Burning sensation in the chest or heartburn
• Irregular stool
• Blood in the stool
• Sudden weight loss
• Bloating after eating
• Feeling of stomach full after eating a small amount of food
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Indigestion loss of appetite
• Fatigue

Risk Factors:

There are several risk factors associated with Stomach Cancer, some of them include:

• Obesity
• Genetic history
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Long stomach infection
• Stomach polyps
• Less nutritious diet
• Smoking
• Excessive acid in the stomach

Diagnosis:

Doctors usually don’t search for stomach cancer initially. The doctor goes for a routine physical examination at first and asks for previous medical history and family history if required. After that, the doctor might recommend a blood test or ultrasound to see if there is some issue in the stomach. If the reports are not normal then the doctor recommends advanced diagnostic options in order to know the exact condition of the patient.

Some of the diagnostic tests include:

• Upper Endoscopy: In an upper endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera attached to its one end is out inside the mouth through the esophagus in order to look inside the stomach.
• Blood Test: Blood tests are done to see if there are any signs of cancer or not.
• CT Scan: In Biopsy, the doctor takes a sample of tissue that is seen under a microscope by a specialist. The sample is used to see the growth of the cells and check if the cells are cancerous or not. It can be done during an endoscopy.
• Upper GI Test: In this, the patient is asked to drink barium in small quantities so that the doctor is able to see the stomach properly in an X-ray.

Treatment:

When it comes to stomach cancer, treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer, its location, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Here are the most common treatment methods used:

• Surgery: Surgical treatment is used when the cancer is spread too much in the stomach. In such cases, the part of the stomach or the entire stomach is removed either via a normal surgery or through laparoscopic surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the most basic treatment method in the case of cancers. In this drugs or chemicals are used in combination to kill cancerous cells.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is another common treatment method used in cancer treatments. In this, high-energy radiation is used to kill cancerous cells.

Bhagwan Mahaveer cancer hospital and research center have one of the best cancer hospital famous for Stomach Cancer treatment in Jaipur. We have a team of best oncologist who are always available in case of any emergency or query which makes us one of the best cancer surgery hospital in Jaipur. For any cancer related query contact us for expert assistance.