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The stomach
The stomach is an organ of the digestive system.
The stomach’s major functions are related to the digestion of food.
After swallowing, the food is held in the stomach. The mucus lining of the stomach secretes acidic gastric juices. These act on the
food and begin to break it down. At the same time the stomach’s
muscles contract and squeeze helping to physically break down the food.
The food then becomes a thick fluid and is moved into the duodenum where digestion continues.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer also known as gastric cancer, is
a disease in which malignant cancer cells are found in the tissues of the stomach. It occurs most
frequently in men over 40 years of age. Approximately 12,000 people
in the U.K. are diagnosed with this disease each year.
Stomach cancer arises from changes in the internal
lining of the stomach, the part that is responsible for secreting the acid, fluid and other chemicals. This layer is complicated because
as well as having to secrete, it must also protect itself from the acid
that it produces, otherwise it would damage the stomach lining and cause
an ulcer.
What causes stomach cancer?
The exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown. However,
there are many risk factors thought to play a part in the cells becoming cancerous. These are as follows:
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Symptoms of stomach cancer may include any of the following:-
- Pain in the upper abdomen.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Bloating after meals.
- Indigestion that does not go away.
- If the cancer has ulcerated and has been bleeding,
you may vomit, pass blood or have symptoms of anaemia,
which include shortness of breath, headaches and looking pale.
- Diarrhoea or constipation.
- General weakness and fatigue.
These symptoms are common to a number of other less
serious conditions, such as gastritis or an ulcer. So most people who visit their doctor with these symptoms
will not have cancer. However, it is important to have any symptoms
you are experiencing checked.
How can I prevent getting stomach cancer?
Experts believe that diet could play a major part
in most stomach cancers. Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol will slightly increase the risk of stomach and
other cancers developing. Try to maintain a healthy
balanced diet as this offers some protection to all types
of cancer.
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will normally refer you to a hospital for
tests and he/she may ask you to bring a stool sample to the hospital with you. At the hospital you may have a gastroscopy
and/or a barium meal. A gastroscopy is a thin telescope that is inserted
into the stomach, via the mouth, so that the doctor can examine the
area more closely. If an abnormal area is found, a small sample of cells
(biopsy)
may be removed for analysis under a microscope.
A barium meal is an X-ray of the oesophagus and stomach.
A liquid called barium is swallowed to highlight the area, making it
easier for the doctor to spot any tumours or abnormal areas.
What is the treatment of stomach cancer?
If stomach cancer is diagnosed, the specific treatment
you receive will depend on your age, health, medical history and the
extent of the disease. If stomach cancer is caught early it is treatable
surgically, part or all of the stomach is removed (the stomach is not
essential to life, but it’s removal does often lead to some symptoms
after meals) along with surrounding tissues and nearby lymph
nodes. Chemotherapy is sometimes used after the operation to reduce the risk of the cancer
returning.
If stomach cancer is left untreated, it can spread
to the lymph nodes, abdomen, lungs and other parts of the body. It is important that if you are worried
about any symptoms that you have, you visit your doctor for advice.
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