Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, (scientifically known as gastric cancer) is a malignant (cancerous) tumor within the stomach which occurs due to changes in the lining of the stomach or abdomen. The stomach cancer begins in the glandular cells of the stomach lining and is known as adenocarcinomas.

Usually, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells mature old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this methodical process goes wrong. New cells appear when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. This formation appears in stomach and consequent emerge as stomach cancer or gastric cancer. Stomach tumor or cancerous cell grows through the stomach's outer layer into nearby organs, such as the pancreas, esophagus, or intestine and can also spread through the blood to the liver, lungs, and other organs. Usually stomach cancer is categorized in two main types i.e. - intestinal and diffuse types. The first one (Intestinal) is more common amongst older patients whereas second one (Diffuse stomach cancer) is found more frequently in women and people with blood group A.

The common symptoms of stomach cancer are-stomach ache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, Discomfort in the stomach area, severe stomach pain, Feeling full or bloated after a small meal, Diarrhea or constipation and sudden weight loss. Sometimes one or more symptoms occur, but not due to cancer rather due to other health problems like -an ulcer or infection. Patient should consult with the doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated in early stage. Sometimes a gastroenterologist (a doctor whose specialty is diagnosing and treating digestive system) also participates in treatment procedure to make sure that whether it is really due to cancer or to some other cause.

Surgery is the most effective treatment through which disease is discovered and removed very soon. The option of treatment depends primarily on the stage of disease, the size and place of the tumor and general health of patient. The procedures of stomach cancer treatment which are use commonly are-surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. In some cases more than one type of treatment is followed. An oncologist with the help of surgeon completely removes the cancerous cell of abdomen. In some cases the tumor is removed from stomach area in order to reduce the growth or the cause of harming in the stomach. Sometimes Chemotherapy is performed by using of drugs in order to kill cancerous cells. This drug is either injected or is given orally that travels through the blood stream to destroy the cancerous cells. In some cases, radiation therapy (by using of high energy X-rays) is also performed to kill this dangerous cell.

Indeed the treatment is really effective in Stomach Cancer and brings noticeable improvement even at the last stages and in consequence patient gets a satisfactory normal healthy life.