Stomach cancer is a cancer that begins in the stomach. It is also called gastric cancer.
There are many risk factors for stomach cancer, including obesity, smoking, H Pylori infection, and even hereditary conditions that predispose a person to stomach cancer.
In the majority of stomach cancer cases, patients develop adenocarcinoma of the stomach, which starts in the inner lining of the stomach, or mucosa. While lymphoma, stromal stomach cancer, carcinoid, metastases of other tumors, adenosquamous/squamous carcinoma and miscellaneous carcinoma only affect a small percentage of gastic cancer cases, the total number of patients remains significant.
Stomach Cancer Risk Factors
Unfortunately, scientists have not managed to identify the actual cause of stomach cancer. However, there are several factors confirmed to be associated with a higher likelihood of this type of malignant tumor.
Some studies have linked an infection of the stomach lining caused by Helicobacter pylori to stomach cancer. Namely, the bacterium leads to formation of peptic ulcers and in some cases such lesions may further progress into stomach cancer as cells begin to divide in abnormal ways. Long-term inflammation of the stomach mucous membrane (which typically affects people suffering from pernicious anemia) is another factor associated with stomach cancer.
Furthermore, this type of cancer is closely related to cigarette smoking as well as poor diet and may be sometimes a consequence of obesity due to improper diet and lack of exercise. Having a family member who is suffering from stomach cancer increases the risk of developing this cancer. And finally, some people develop stomach cancer in spite of absence of obvious risk factors.
Stomach cancers generally develop slowly over a period of time. Unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fevers, pain, and changes in the appearance of the person's skin are some common symptoms of stomach cancer that can also easily be dismissed by patients as being caused by less serious issues. If someone does notice these symptoms, and has them for more than a little while, asking a doctor for their opinion is always a good step to take.
End Stage Stomach Cancer
There are IV stages of stomach cancer and the disease is classified according to several factors. Stage III B, III C and IV are considered stages of advanced disease and stage IV is actually the terminal stage of this malignant disease.
Stage III B is characterized by the growth of the tumor outside the stomach lining. The tumor penetrates through all the layers of the stomach wall and affects regional lymph nodes as well as surrounding tissues. This stage is not terminal but requires prompt treatment in order to prevent further progression of the disease and quick lethal outcome.
Stage III C includes spread of the tumor to nearby organs and regional lymph nodes. For example, tumor cells can be found in the pancreas, intestine and liver. Even though the tumor has affected abdominal organs, it has not yet spread to distant organs and organs systems in the body.
And finally, stage IV is the terminal stage of stomach cancer. It involves uncontrollable growth of the tumor and its metastases. The tumor may affect many different organs and even spread to distant ones such as the brain, lungs or bones. In women stomach cancer has tendency to spread to the ovaries. The very presence of the tumor, its location and size determine symptoms and signs patients are forced to deal with. This stage is practically incurable and all doctors can do is to provide with appropriate symptomatic treatment such as pain management, feeding assistance and similar.
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