The incidence of gastric cancer (RJ) is very high in Japan, Iceland, Chile. Of great importance in the development of the disease is nutrition: the intake of high-calorie, smoked, salty foods is the main risk factor. In contrast, the use of vitamins and fiber is a protective moment. The carcinogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, has now been proven. Actual causes of risk are smoking and drinking.
Gastric cancer: symptoms and treatmentIt is very important to know the main signs of the disease. The early symptoms of gastric cancer appear only with sufficient tumor development, when the lumen of the organ narrows, its volume decreases and evacuation is impaired. Manifestation of cancer may begin with bleeding or signs of severe intoxication caused by the decay of the tumor. The main symptom of gastric cancer depends on the localization of the process with the type of growth, on the histological picture, involvement of neighboring organs, and effects on the whole body.
Dysphagia
Most often, RJ is manifested by a violation of the patency of the organ. This symptom of gastric cancer earlier occurs with localization in the cardiac or pyloric department and almost never in the body of the stomach. When spreading to the esophagus, difficulties arise when swallowing: first solid, and then liquid food. This phenomenon is accompanied by heartburn, belching with a fetid odor, exhaustion, loss of body weight. This symptom is more often observed with endophytic tumor growth.
Pain
The pain symptom of gastric cancer is more often observed with tumor localization in the upper third of the organ and is associated with increased peristalsis as a result of narrowing of the lumen. The pain is localized behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades, which is very similar to cardiac pathology. Pain in the left hypochondrium occurs with cancer of the bottom of the stomach. Typically, such an ailment is diagnosed only in the later stages.
Palpable formation
An important symptom of stomach cancer is a palpable abdominal mass. Basically, it is determined by the localization of the tumor in the lower third of the organ. At other locations, palpating the cancer is difficult.
General complaints
A somatic symptom of gastric cancer is characterized by the so-called syndrome of small signs:
- weakness
- Depression
- decreased appetite;
- "Gastric" discomfort;
- anemia
- losing weight.
Summing up, we can distinguish the main symptoms of the disease, these are: pain, dyspepsia, "gastric" discomfort, anemia, violation of evacuation.
Metastasis
The spread of the tumor occurs hematogenously in the liver, lungs, bones; lymphogenous - in the navel, Krukenberg metastasis. With metastasis along the peritoneum, ascites occurs.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic measures are aimed at detecting a tumor, determining its local distribution and metastasis, and evaluating the general somatic state. Radiography and endoscopy of the stomach are used to detect and determine the development of cancer. Taking a piece of the tumor allows you to determine its histological structure, clear boundaries, the degree of germination of the organ wall. To determine metastasis, lung radiography, angiography, MRI, diagnostic laparoscopy are used.
Treatment
To achieve the greatest effect, a complex of therapeutic measures is used: a combination of surgical intervention with removal of the lymph collector, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.