Stomach cancer

From ArticleWorld

Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, can develop in the stomach and spread to nearby parts of the body. Other places stomach cancer can grow are the small intestine, esophagus, stomach wall, and other organs. The lymph nodes, liver, pancreas and colon can also be influenced by stomach cancer. Stomach cancer can spread to other parts of the body, yet still remain the same abnormal stomach cells, making the new growth metastatic stomach cancer. Stomach cancer frequently spreads to the ovaries, becoming a Krukenberg tumor. This tumor is still stomach cancer, however. Stomach cancer occurs more frequently in Oriental countries than it does in the United States of America.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Stomach cancer has several symptoms. Some of these symptoms are heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, change in bowel movement, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating in the stomach area, and blood in vomit or feces. These symptoms may or may not be signs of stomach cancer. Only a doctor can tell. Gastrointestinal doctors are the specialists in this area. A physician will do a complete medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. Some of the tests the physician may order to diagnose stomach cancer are the fecal occult blood test, upper GI series, and endoscopic examination. Any suspicious tissue found during an endoscopic exam will be biopsied for cancer. The patient may also wish to consider getting a second opinion.

Treatment

Treatment of stomach cancer depends on the patient's general health, the type and size of the tumor, and the stage of the tumor's development. The patient should make a list of questions to ask their doctor, since the subject of cancer can be overwhelming. Participating in a research study can be helpful to both the present and future cancer patients.

Unfortunately, stomach cancer is not often caught in the early stages. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, or any combination of these three may be used. New treatments are being developed that may help the stomach cancer patient live longer. Surgery may require removing all or part of the stomach. Lymph nodes are also removed sometimes. The esophagus is connected to the remaining part of the stomach or small intestine. Activities are limited after this surgery, due to its serious nature. It is also important for the stomach cancer patient to receive proper nutrition, since they frequently suffer a loss of appetite.