Stomach cancer is a very serious disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. This pathology is several times more often diagnosed in men, and after the age of 50 years. In this article, we will talk about how stomach cancer develops (symptoms and manifestation of the disease in the early stages), as well as what treatment methods modern medicine offers.
General information
Stomach cancer is an oncological disease that is characterized by the development of a malignant neoplasm from the epithelium of the mucous membrane. A tumor can form in any part of this organ. The risk of getting sick is significantly increased in both men and women after 50 years. As for the geographical distribution of this pathology, in Russia this disease is in second place in the frequency of diagnosis among all neoplasms of a malignant nature. So, for 100 thousand healthy people there are approximately 36 patients. The situation is worse only in Japan, Scandinavia and Brazil.
According to experts, over the past 30 years, circumstances have changed dramatically. Doctors note a gradual decrease in the incidence of cancer. For example, in America, this pathology is diagnosed relatively rarely (only five cases per 100 thousand people).
Today, scientists have proved that oncology cannot occur in an absolutely healthy stomach. The disease is always preceded by the so-called precancerous stage, when there is a change in the nature of the cells lining this organ from the inside. On average, this condition lasts from 10 and up to about 20 years.
The symptoms of gastric cancer in the early stages can be confused with gastritis or an ulcer. Initially, a small tumor forms. Over time, it can increase in size, grow in depth and in breadth. At this stage, the disease manifests itself as a violation of normal digestion. As a result, a person begins to lose weight for no reason. Germinating through the walls of the stomach, the neoplasm can go to other organs (large intestine, pancreas).
The disease is characterized by the early appearance of metastases (the separation of cancer cells from the tumor and their further spread throughout the body). They most often affect the lymph nodes and liver. Also, the lungs, bones, peritoneal space, ovaries can be involved in the pathological process. The work of all affected organs is gradually changing, which entails a fatal outcome.
Main reasons
At present, the exact causes provoking the development of the disease are not fully understood. Specialists only single out a set of factors, the effect of which together leads to the formation of cancer.
- The bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Scientists have long proved that this bacterium can not only survive perfectly in an acidic environment, but also be a cause of peptic ulcer and gastritis. As medical practice shows, sometimes these pathologies degenerate into cancer. Helicobacter pylori gradually deforms the organ mucosa, hydrochloric acid begins to affect the unprotected walls of the stomach, causing numerous erosions. Such ulcerations are considered an excellent environment for the life of cancer cells.
- Unhealthy diet. The presence in the diet of fried, fatty, spicy and salty foods several times increases the likelihood of developing a malignant neoplasm.
- The presence of nitrates and nitrites in the body. It is assumed that these substances have high chemical activity. They can violate the usual integrity of the cells of the gastric mucosa and penetrate into their structure. As a rule, vegetables are the source of nitrates and nitrites in our country. In addition, salts of nitrous and nitric acid are found in large quantities in smoked meats, some cheeses, tobacco, and beer.
- Bad habits. In addition to the fact that nitrates and nitrites are also present in high doses in alcoholic beverages, ethyl alcohol itself can act as a provocateur of neoplasms of a malignant nature. Scientists have proven that the longer a person smokes, the higher the likelihood that symptoms of stomach and intestinal cancer will be detected at a young age.
- Long-term use of drugs. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids - all these medicines have a number of side effects, including the development of stomach ulcers. As you know, it can develop into a real tumor.
- Exposure to radiation.
The risk group also includes people with overweight, a hereditary predisposition and other oncological ailments.
What diseases can precede gastric cancer?
- Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin plays a direct role in the formation of many body cells.
- Polyps of the stomach.
- Some subspecies of chronic gastritis (atrophic form, Menetrie disease, etc.).
- Stomach ulcer. According to experts, in 12% of cases, this pathology develops into gastric cancer.
Symptoms and manifestation of the disease
This disease at the initial stages of development, as a rule, does not have specific signs. The patient may feel constant fatigue, complain of rapid fatigue and causeless weight loss. After eating, the patient may experience heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, bloating, or even indigestion. Such symptoms of gastric cancer in the early stages (photos of patients can be found in the medical literature) should be the reason for seeking medical advice.
As the disease progresses and the tumor grows, more and more new symptoms may appear:
- Violation of the stool.
- Discomfort in the upper abdomen.
- Fast saturation.
- The increase in size of the abdomen.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Vomiting with blood.
All of the above symptoms most often indicate stomach cancer. Symptoms, manifestations of the disease are not a sufficient condition for confirming the diagnosis, as they may indicate other gastrointestinal pathologies. It is extremely important to undergo a detailed examination.
Disease classification
Based on which cells underlie the neoplasm, the following types of stomach cancer are distinguished:
- Adenocarcinoma. This is the most common form of the disease. The formation of a tumor occurs on the basis of those cells that are directly responsible for the production of mucus.
- Leiomyosarcoma. The neoplasm consists mainly of muscle cells in the organ.
- Lymphoma The tumor is based on lymphatic cells.
- Solid stomach cancer. A photo of this pathology can only be seen in specialized literature, since it is detected extremely rarely.
- Cricoid cell carcinoma. Examination of such a neoplasm under a microscope reveals the similarity of forms with a ring, which was the reason for its name. This form of the disease is characterized by a rapid increase in pathological cells and early metastasis.
Stages of the disease
Today, experts conditionally distinguish several stages of the development of pathology, thanks to which gastric cancer can be classified. Symptoms and manifestation of the disease at the initial stages of development may be absent, which greatly complicates its diagnosis.
The term “five-year survival” is widely used to predict cancer treatment. If after treatment the patient lives 5 years, he can be considered healthy. Such a patient has every chance that he will never again encounter this type of cancer.
The overall survival rate for this disease, according to statistics, is 20% among all patients. This relatively low percentage is due to the late diagnosis of the disease. However, each specific case is still individual, whether it is the initial stage of the development of the disease or gastric cancer of the 4th degree with metastases. How many people live with such a diagnosis depends primarily on the timeliness of treatment and compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.
- Zero stage. At this stage, only the gastric mucosa is involved in the pathological process. Treatment is carried out through endoscopic surgery. In 90% of cases, patients recover completely.
- First stage. The tumor penetrates deeper into the mucous membrane, metastases are formed in the lymph nodes around the stomach. With timely treatment, the probability of recovery is from 60 to 80%.
- Second stage. The tumor does not affect only muscle tissue. Five-year survival in diagnosing the disease is 56%.
- Third stage. Pathological cells penetrate the walls of the organ, the lymph nodes are completely affected. With a diagnosis of gastric cancer, stage 3, life expectancy is low (15 out of a hundred people can live five years or more).
- Fourth stage. The cancerous tumor penetrates deeply not only into the organ itself, but also gives metastases to other parts of the body (pancreas, liver, ovaries, lungs). In this form, the disease is diagnosed in 80% of patients. However, only five out of a hundred people are likely to live five years or more.
Experts warn: even a complete cure of oncology is far from in every case has a positive prognosis. The thing is that such a disease has a tendency to relapse, which can only occasionally be eliminated by repeated surgical intervention. The late detection of the disease in our country is explained very simply. Firstly, many doctors do not have enough knowledge in this field of medicine to confirm an illness in time. Secondly, patients seek help very late, for example, when they are diagnosed with gastric cancer, stage 3. How long do such patients live? Of course, neglect of one’s own health entails worse predictions.
Diagnostics
Treatment can be successful only if the specialist in the early stages can confirm the cancer of the stomach. The manifestations of the first signs of the disease should alert and become a reason for seeking advice from a gastroenterologist.
Today, the main method for the study of pathology is gastroscopy (endoscopy). During this procedure, the doctor assesses the general condition of the organ mucosa, makes a biopsy of its suspicious areas. Histological examination of the obtained material allows us to determine the nature of the neoplasm (malignant / benign). Sometimes it is additionally prescribed:
- X-ray examination of the digestive tract.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- CT
- Biochemical blood test to detect anemia.
Treatment
Can stomach cancer be overcome? Manifestations of a malignant tumor, the presence of metastases, the size of the neoplasm, the degree of its germination in neighboring areas - all these factors primarily determine the tactics of therapeutic measures. Modern medicine offers three treatment options for this kind of pathology: removal of the tumor through surgical intervention, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The specific treatment tactics chosen by the doctor after a complete examination of the patient.
In the case of early diagnosis of a tumor (stage zero or first), when there are no metastases, a complete excision of the cancer tumor is possible. During the operation, the doctor removes a section of the wall of the stomach, nearby tissues, as well as lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy is recommended to stop the growth of pathological cells and reduce the size of the tumor itself. Chemotherapy has to be resorted to with a diagnosis of grade 4 gastric cancer with metastases. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say exactly how many patients live after the course of treatment. Very often, doctors prescribe radiation and chemotherapy together to enhance the positive effect.
Diet
Of course, with such a diagnosis, special attention is recommended to be paid not only directly to therapy, but also to the daily diet. Experts advise to avoid products that contain nitrates. The thing is that these substances are able to degenerate into nitrites and form nitrosamines. The latter, in turn, often act as the main cause of the development of gastric cancer. The formation of nitrosamines can be prevented by regular consumption of foods with antioxidants, vitamins C and E. In addition, the patient's daily diet with this diagnosis should include foods with a low glycemic index. Such foods are slowly digested, helping to maintain a stable blood sugar level.
This article has already listed the basic methods for diagnosing early stage gastric cancer. After the doctor confirmed the presence of the disease and prescribed the appropriate treatment, the question arises of how to eat. The patient's diet should be as balanced as possible and rich in vitamins. It is recommended to eat fruits and vegetables (preferably raw), chicken and low-fat fish (source of protein).
You have to give up everything fatty and fried, sweets and pastries, red meat falls under the ban. By agreement with the doctor, salt can be excluded from the diet. The fact is that its consumption in large quantities contributes to the formation of ulcers on the walls of the already weakened as a result of treatment of the stomach.
Forecast and Prevention
Stomach cancer (photos of patients with such a disease are presented in this article) are most often diagnosed at the stage of an already incurable tumor. Only in 40% of cases, doctors identify a tumor, in which there is a likelihood of a successful prognosis of cure. Here we are talking about the disease in the early stages and without metastases. The rapid course of the pathology is most often found with a diagnosis of gastric cancer, stage 3. The life expectancy of such patients and their general condition do not practically differ from those in the case of a disease of the fourth stage. In both situations, the prognosis for patients is extremely unfavorable.
Surgical treatment, coupled with various methods of antitumor therapy, gives five-year survival in 12% of patients. If the symptoms of gastric cancer in the early stages were noticed by the patients themselves, and they immediately sought help from a doctor, the survival rate increases to 70%.
Regarding the issue of prevention, today experts strongly recommend timely treatment of all ailments, lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right. In addition, it is very important to eliminate bad habits, with special attention to taking medications.
In conclusion, it should be noted that today cancer of the stomach is increasingly being diagnosed. Symptoms and manifestations of this disease should be an occasion for consultation with a specialist. The sooner the doctor confirms the pathology and prescribes the appropriate treatment, the higher the chances of a favorable prognosis. Lost time or inattention to one’s own body often costs a person’s life.