Infiltrative gastric cancer, known in medicine as endophytic cancer, is one of the most dangerous oncological diseases affecting humans. Features of localization, the specifics of the growth of the atypical region are such that the diagnosis of pathology at an early stage is extremely difficult. A fairly high percentage of cases can be identified only when the disease has progressed significantly. Most often, histological analysis allows you to diagnose scirr, due to which many people consider the infiltrative cancer and scirr to be the same disease. In fact, the first concept is broader, in addition to Skirra, includes some other forms of oncology.
Learning problems
At the consultation of an oncologist (in Moscow, St. Petersburg and in other cities there are many experienced specialists), the doctor will pay special attention to the condition of the mucosa. If there is a suspicion of infiltrative cancer, it is necessary to assess the relief and the degree of its deviation from the norm. At some stages of development, infiltrative cancer is localized strictly in the submucosal layer, which forces us to be especially attentive to assessing the condition of the hospital client.
If the patient has infiltrative cancer of the stomach, the mucous membranes can look completely healthy for a long time. Cancer can be suspected by the stability of these tissues - it is the lack of variability that can tell the doctor what to deal with. Sometimes the disease develops according to another scenario - atypical cells are localized in those parts of the body where there are no folds. However, in a predominant percentage of cases, the study of the organ mucosa is impossible due to increased rigidity of the gastric walls.
Attention to detail
In order to detect infiltrative and ulcerative cancer of the stomach in time, if there is a suspicion of malignant processes, it is necessary to monitor the change in the organ, its deformation over time, and correction of the contours. In an impressive percentage of patients, the output section is circularly reduced, the smaller curvature becomes shorter, and the angle is more developed. As the pathology progresses, the stomach becomes smaller in size, on the x-ray you can see the manifestations of microscopic gastria. In some areas, elements of the intestine are exposed.
If the patient has developed infiltrative cancer in the upper third of the stomach, the contours of the organ remain clear, they are quite even. Pronounced aperistaltic area. This feature simplifies the determination of infection boundaries. Its identification is an important element in clarifying the form of cancer.
Practice shows that the form of oncology in question is one of the methods that are especially difficult to diagnose for modern doctors. Mistakes in making a diagnosis are quite common. This applies to the study of the condition of patients using both an x-ray and an endoscope. The prognosis for infiltrative cancer of the stomach is unfavorable. The results of treatment largely depend on at what stage the disease was established. The best chances are, of course, if you start treatment already at the first stage.
Features of the disease
The infiltrative form of stomach cancer is formed from the gastric epithelium. During a visual examination, it shows itself as an ulcer of a sufficiently large depth (especially in the last stages). The bottom of the formation is dense, covered with tubercles. Germination occurs deep into the gastric wall. The disease is characterized by an increased level of malignancy. The tumor grows rapidly, spreads to the tissues of the organ. Often, infiltrative cancer of the body of the stomach is characterized by a large number of lesions, as a result of which the diseased area covers the organ completely.
Atypical cells spread in the submucosal layer. This part of the stomach is characterized by an abundance of blood vessels for lymphatic flow and diseased elements can quickly spread throughout the body through the lymphatic system. The infiltrative form of the disease is characterized by the early appearance of metastases.
The progress of pathology is associated with the destruction of gastric tissues and the expansion of the walls of the organ. The ability of the stomach to function is gradually suppressed until the complete loss of performance.
Where did the trouble come from?
At present, infiltrative cancer of the stomach has not been studied well enough, so it is impossible to say with certainty that all possible causes of the development of pathology have been discovered. It is known that malignancy is characteristic of tissues affected by a chronic ulcer or gastritis, which is characterized by atrophic processes in the gastric tissues. Medical studies show that degeneration of ulcerated sites into malignant is possible at any stage of the disease.
In some cases, infiltrative cancer of the stomach appears due to genetic prerequisites. Most of these people become patients at the oncology department at a young age. There is a risk of cancer due to malnutrition and excessive eating of smoked, spicy, as well as salt abuse. The likelihood of a malignant neoplasm is increased if a person includes too few fruits and vegetables on the menu.
How to notice?
One of the dangers of an infiltrative-ulcerative form of stomach cancer is the length of the period that is not accompanied by symptoms. Sooner or later, the patient is faced with difficulties indicating a decrease in gastric functionality. It is difficult not only to determine the presence of cancer in time, but also to accurately determine the boundaries of malignancy of tissues.
It is possible to suspect a neglected form of gastric ulcer cancer if this area is disturbed by soreness that does not correlate with meals. There is no remission, and the acidity of the juice produced by the gastric structures becomes lower. The patient is disturbed by heartburn, nausea, and defecation is accompanied by bloody discharge. In most cases, their volumes are insignificant, therefore, it will not be possible to notice the presence of blood on the eye, but laboratory tests will give an accurate result. The patient quickly feels full, so the appetite gradually weakens until it disappears completely. Against this background, there is a decrease in weight, anemia. Concerned about the feeling of fatigue, weakness.
With diffuse-infiltrative gastric cancer, following a strict diet can relieve symptoms for a short time. Such a temporary improvement does not indicate a cure.
Diagnosis
In order to detect diffuse-infiltrative cancer of the stomach or to determine another reason explaining the deterioration of a person’s condition, it is necessary first of all to obtain blood samples for laboratory research. With oncological diseases, the ESR index and leukocyte concentration increase; specialized markers that indicate the presence of atypical cells in the body can be detected.
The patient is immediately referred to an X-ray using a contrast medium. Barium sulfate is used in suspension. This technique allows you to evaluate the gastric relief, detect the presence of a pathological process and evaluate how large areas are covered by it. An ultrasound examination is necessary to visualize the features of the organ. With this study, you can evaluate the density of the gastric walls and identify metastases, if any, are observed in the peritoneum.
In any reliable oncology clinic in our country (and especially in Moscow), the oncologist’s consultation ends with the issuance of a referral for research using an endoscope. Gastroscopy is performed in such a way as to obtain tissue samples for histological examination in vitro. Finally, computed tomography is required. At present, it is the most accurate and effective method for assessing the size and localization of the tumor process. CT makes it possible to determine the presence of metastases in different parts of the body, even if they are insignificant in size.
The diagnosis is confirmed! What to do?
An infiltrative ulcerative odor of gastric cancer is treated in 3 approaches: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation. The most important element is surgery. Being done on time, it minimizes the risk of bleeding. According to statistics, it is precisely this complication that leads to death in most cases of infiltrative gastric cancer. Select the amount of intervention, evaluating the stage of the disease. There are two main approaches: palliative, radical. The first option is relevant if an infiltrative-ulcerative form of gastric cancer of 3 or 4 degrees is established - it is aimed at alleviating the symptoms and providing the patient with a maximum long life.
A number of patients are admitted to the clinic in such a condition when surgery is contraindicated. In this case, only treatment with medication and radiation is possible. This course is aimed at reducing the volume of neoplasms and alleviating the symptoms of the disease.
Chemotherapy, radiation treatment
Chemotherapy is used when surgery is contraindicated for the patient, as well as after and after surgery. After the operation, the so-called adjuvant treatment is practiced, until - non-adjuvant. At the last stages of the disease, medications are prescribed in such a way as to alleviate the patient's condition and slightly improve the quality of his daily routine.
Irradiation as a treatment method for the infiltrative form of gastric cancer is used only as an auxiliary technique. It allows you to increase the effectiveness of drugs and surgical measures, improve the prognosis of the patient.
Is it possible to warn?
Currently, it is known that infiltrative gastric cancer often develops against the background of gastritis, peptic ulcer. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the likelihood of oncological processes if, with such diagnoses, adequate treatment is started on time and a preventive examination is performed twice a year.
A healthy person needs to take measures to minimize the risk of gastritis, atrophy of gastric tissues, erosion of the mucosa. Prevention of these pathological conditions is the best method of cancer prevention. It is also important to give up bad habits, eat correctly, if possible minimally consuming salted, canned and smoked meats, spicy, instant food.
Oncology: stomach damage
At present, gastric cancer is one of the most common oncological pathologies along with damage to the respiratory system. Mortality rates with such a diagnosis in our country are extremely high. There are several forms of gastric cancer, but it is infiltrative that occurs more often than others. The competition for its prevalence is the primary ulcer form. Other types of malignant processes are diagnosed much less frequently.
With a cancerous ulcer, thrombosis and sclerosis surrounding the affected area of ​​blood vessels are observed. The structure of muscle tissue is disrupted in the cicatricial floor. Histological examination often allows you to establish the structure of adenocarcinoma. The undifferentiated type is somewhat less common.
Doctors estimate the incidence of gastric ulcer malignancy at 7-10%, although some experts believe that the indicator does not exceed 2%. Malignization is more likely when an ulcer and atrophic gastritis are observed at the same time - both diseases are considered precancerous. In some cases, infiltrative cancer is explained by epithelial dysplasia. Some researchers are convinced that there is currently no reliable information to talk about the possibility of malignancy of a high-quality gastric ulcer.
Ulcer: Does it turn into a tumor?
It is possible to suspect malignancy of the ulcer process if the nature of the previous disease changes. With an ulcer, prolonged remission is usually observed, the frequency of acute forms. With the transformation of the disease, the duration of remission decreases, the frequency disappears, the patient’s cyclical state is not observed, and the pains become not so sharp, but they are felt constantly, without reference to the meal. Without obvious reasons, the patient is weak, and palpation in the stomach is accompanied by less pain than before.
If the cancer appeared on the background of an ulcer, medications and proper nutrition can lead to an improvement in the condition until the manifestations of the disease disappear on the x-ray. This does not indicate the healing of the ulcerated area, but only indicates the growth of the tumor.
If an ulcer is detected in a patient at an advanced age, a thorough study should immediately be carried out to clarify the fact of malignancy. Take into account that infiltrative cancer can show all signs of benign ulceration when examining with an x-ray, endoscope. To accurately determine the patient’s condition, it is necessary to take tissue samples for histological examination. Receive cells of the edges of the diseased area, the bottom.
Forecasts and Prospects
Of course, perhaps the most pressing question for those who have infiltrative cancer of the stomach - how many live with this diagnosis. Much depends on the stage of the disease, the individual characteristics of the patient, the body's ability to fight the disease, as well as on the tolerance of drugs.
It is believed that on average, when detecting cancer in the initial stage, survival is 90-100%, in the second stage - up to 87%, in the third - about 60%. Among individuals in whom the disease was detected at the fourth developmental stage, five-year survival does not exceed 20%. If, after a five-year period, there is no relapse, the patient is considered cured. Most often, the pathology is detected in the third stage. The probability of a complete cure is higher if there are no metastases or there are no more than two.