The causes of stomach cancer have begun to be clarified today. It begins with the normal cells in the stomach turning into abnormal cells and multiplying uncontrollably due to nutritional habits, environmental and genetic factors.
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Since vague complaints can be seen in all kinds of diseases, diagnosis is usually made at an advanced stage. The symptoms of stomach cancer when it progresses are as follows:
● Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
● Abdominal pain
● Difficulty in swallowing
● Weight gain loss
● Vomiting
● Weakness (usually due to anemia)
All these symptoms can also be seen in diseases other than stomach cancer.
Are there any tests for stomach cancer?
● Endoscopy (upper gastrointestinal system) – It is probably the most accurate and most common test for the diagnosis of stomach cancer today. . During this test, a thin tube with a camera at its end is inserted through the mouth and advanced into the stomach. Internal imaging of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine is provided.
● Biopsy taken from the stomach - During endoscopy, the stomach, esophagus and duodenum are examined. Tissue samples are taken from normal-looking and abnormal-looking areas and examined under a microscope.
● Blood tests generally help us evaluate the patient's condition.
● Imaging methods – Computerized tomography (CT) etc. These are the tests we use most frequently. If deemed necessary, magnetic resonance (MR) and more advanced tests, known as PET, can be performed.
In addition, "Helicobacter pylori" infection is an infection that triggers both inflammation in the stomach and the development of stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori can also be checked with a stomach biopsy, breath test, blood test or other laboratory tests. This infection can cause conditions that can progress from open sores called "ulcers" in the stomach or duodenum to cancer in some people.
What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?
Typical risk factors for stomach cancer Risk factors include genetic predisposition (15%), having had stomach surgery, excessive consumption of salty, smoked and processed foods in the diet, and H. Pylori infection.
What are the treatment methods for stomach cancer?
● Surgery– It is the most commonly used treatment method, and with this method, part or all of the stomach is removed by surgery, depending on the location of the cancer.
● Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs that kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Sometimes chemotherapy may be applied before or after surgery. Chemotherapy applications have recently started to be applied to the abdomen and blood vessels.
● Radiotherapy – High-energy rays are applied to areas where cancer can spread and it is the process of preventing the proliferation of cancer cells in a certain area.
● Immunotherapy – It is the use of drugs that have recently been produced as chemotherapy agents and are aimed at stopping the development of cancer by strengthening the body's immune system and ensuring its defeat. Today, its benefits are limited and it is a path open to improvement.
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