The stomach is located between the esophagus and small intestines. There is a valve called sphincter at each end of the stomach. The valve between the esophagus and the upper part of the stomach is called the cardiac sphincter. The valve between the lower part of the stomach and the duodenum is called the pyloric sphincter.
Stomach cancer usually begins as an ulcer. It is aggressive in nature and can spread directly from the neighborhood, through the lymphatic route, through the blood, and by sowing in the abdomen. A stomach tumor can grow through the outer layer of the stomach and extend into surrounding organs such as the pancreas, esophagus or intestine. Stomach cancer cells can spread through the blood to the liver, lungs and other organs. According to mortality rates, it is the 3rd type of cancer in women and the 2nd type of cancer in men. Approximately 900,000 people die from stomach cancer every year around the world. Cancer cells can also spread to all lymph nodes in the body through the lymphatic system. Although stomach cancer is encountered in every region of the world, it is more common in some regions. Japan, Malaysia, Chile, Iceland are some of these regions. In many countries, it is twice as common in men as in women. The most common ages are the 50s and 60s. Additionally, the prevalence increases in societies with low socioeconomic levels. Especially in Japan, mortality rates due to stomach cancer have decreased significantly due to early screening and public awareness on this issue. Stomach cancer is high in Japan due to the inclusion of salty and smoked foods in the eating habits.
Risk Factors in Stomach Cancer
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Age: patients Most of them are 72 years of age or older.
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Gender: It develops more in men than in women.
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Race: American in Asian and African society. It is more common than other people.
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Diet: The risk of developing stomach cancer increases in those who eat smoked, salted, pickled or excessively salty foods. On the other hand, eating fresh vegetables and fruits, taking high doses of vitamin C, garlic and green tea may be protective against this disease.
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Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection: HP infection causes gastroenteritis, stomach inflammation. It increases the risk of ulcers and stomach cancer, but people infected with this bacteria Only a very small percentage of people develop stomach cancer. It has been determined that the risk of stomach cancer increases 6 times in the presence of antibodies against HP infection.
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Smoking: The risk of developing stomach cancer is higher in smokers than in non-smokers.
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Previous stomach surgery, Chronic atrophic gastritis (long-term inflammation of the stomach surface)
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Pernicious anemia (a blood disease that affects the stomach and causes malabsorption of vitamin B12)
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Adenomatous polyps and familial polyps
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Family history: A rare type of stomach cancer is inherited in families.
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Among other factors; Radiation, aflatoxin, A blood group and Epstein-Barr virus infections are also included. Stomach cancer may not develop in people with most of the known risk factors.
Symptoms in Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer usually shows late symptoms and symptoms. It is not specific to the disease. A vague or vague feeling of discomfort in the stomach area is the most common initial symptom. In the advanced stages of the disease, the most common symptoms are weight loss and abdominal pain. Loss of appetite, weakness, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, feeling of fullness and bloating in the stomach are other symptoms. Some patients present with advanced disease symptoms such as liver enlargement, fluid accumulation in the abdomen or jaundice. In advanced stages, lymph node enlargement above the left collarbone may be palpable.
Diagnosis in Stomach Cancer
The main diagnostic tool in stomach cancer is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. With this method, the inner surface of the stomach is completely seen and diagnosis is made by taking biopsies from suspicious areas. After the diagnosis is confirmed, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, abdominal ultrasonography and endosonography are useful to determine the extent of the disease. Another method is laparoscopy (looking into the abdomen with a lighted camera under general anesthesia).
Staging in Stomach Cancer
Staging is the spread of the tumor to the surrounding tissues, if it has spread. It is done based on which parts of the body it spreads to. Gastric cancer; lymph nodes, liver, pancreas It can spread to the stomach and other organs.
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Stage 0: Cancer is found only in the inner layer of the stomach. This is defined as carcinoma in situ.
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Stage I: The tumor has spread only to the submucosal layer.
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Stage II: The tumor has spread only to the submucosal layer. It is in the submucosa.
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Stage III: The tumor has spread to the muscle layer or subserosa.
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Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to more than 15 lymph nodes. It has spread to the gland, surrounding organs and distant organs.
Treatment Methods in Stomach Cancer
In the treatment of stomach cancer, the digestive system surgeon, medical and radiation oncologists work as a team. Your choice of treatment generally depends on the size and location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, and your general health. Treatment of stomach cancer consists of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. More than one type of treatment is applied to many people.
Surgery in Stomach Cancer
The main treatment of stomach cancer is surgery. The surgical method to be applied is planned according to the location of the cancer, whether it has regional spread or distant spread. The surgical method to be applied is gastrectomy (removal of the stomach). The surgeon makes a new stomach from the intestine. Removal of the spleen may also be added to this operation. Recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. You may be uncomfortable for the first few days. Medications can help control your pain.
Clinical Process
The general probability of survival for 5 years after full cleansing surgical procedures is around 25%. The most important factor affecting survival in stomach cancer is whether there is distant or intra-abdominal spread. If these findings are present, the expected life expectancy is around 6-12 months. In early detected cancer, the 5-year survival rate can be over 95%. Protection Regulating our eating habits, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, staying away from smoked foods, alcohol and cigarettes is protective against many types of cancer such as stomach cancer. It is easier to protect and prevent than to treat the disease.
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