Posted On Dec 24, 2019
Manipal Hospitals
An uncontrolled growth of cells is termed as a cancer. They are of different types, and one among them is stomach cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 8, 00,000 cancer-related deaths occur each year globally due to stomach cancers. It is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and is hard to diagnose and treat. Here are a few basic facts you need to know to beat the disease:
Your stomach is in the upper part of the digestive tract. It is responsible for digestion and assimilation of the food. Stomach cancer occurs when the healthy cells become cancerous and grow out of control forming a tumor. It is also known as gastric cancer. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the stomach. About 95% of stomach cancer starts in the glandular tissue that lines the stomach wall.
The cells that form the tumor determine the type of stomach. The types of cancer include
Stomach cancer is not detectable at the early stages because it does not show any specific signs and symptoms. Before knowing the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, you should remember that those listed below might be due to other illness like stomach ulcer or viral infection.
These symptoms persisting for a long time need to be evaluated by the physician.
The exact cause of cancer is not known. Doctors believe that there is a strong relation between a diet high in smoked and salted foods and stomach cancer. Cancer starts when structural changes occur in the DNA, an integral part of all the cells. Once the DNA structure changes, cells start multiplying without any control, resulting in a tumor.
A risk factor is a condition, disease, lifestyle, or a situation which increases the risk of developing a disease or condition. The risk factors associated with stomach cancer are:
The diagnosis is based on medical history, detailed physical examination, blood tests and other imaging, and endoscopic tests.
Stomach cancer is treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The type of treatment depends upon the types of cancer and its stage.
It is said that “Prevention is better than cure.” Stomach cancer cannot be prevented, but you can lower the risk of developing it by maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a balanced and low-fat diet, Quitting smoking and drinking, and exercising daily. It is also advisable to go for regular medical examinations with your medical consultant.
If you have any doubts relating to cancer, feel free to consult our expert oncologist. Click here to book an appointment now:http://bit.ly/2quiIFd