He stomach cancer It is a condition of abnormal cell growth in the stomach.
The stomach is part of the body’s digestive system and is located in the upper part of the abdomen.
The 2 main types of stomach cancer are:
Gastric adenocarcinoma (gastric cancer) — the most common type
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Stomach cancer is a relatively common cancer in Australia. It is rarely diagnosed in people under 60 years of age and affects more men than women.
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Some people get stomach cancer without having any symptoms. Some people have symptoms such as:
stomach acidity or abdominal pain
nausea and/or vomiting
fatigue
unexplained weight loss
abdomen swelling
Some have blood in their vomit or black stools from bleeding in the stomach.
What causes stomach cancer?
The causes of stomach cancer are unknown, but it is more common in people who:
They are over 60 years old
smoke
are infected with the bacteria helicobacter pylori
eat a lot of smoked, pickled and salty foods and do not eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables
have chronic stomach problems such as polyps or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
have a family history of stomach cancer
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will talk to you and examine you. You may be referred for testing to understand your symptoms and reach a diagnosis.
Tests may include:
Endoscopy, where a thin tube with a camera on the end is passed through the throat and esophagus to view the digestive tract
blood test
Stool sample
endoscopic ultrasound of the inside of your stomach and other parts
imaging scans of the stomach and nearby organs, such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the stomach wall
How will my stomach cancer be treated?
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the stage of your disease, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health. Options include:
Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach (partial or total gastrectomy)
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells
targeted therapy, which attacks specific characteristics of cancer cells
Immunotherapy, which helps your immune system fight cancer
Treatment may be more effective if the cancer is in its early stages, although early stomach cancer may not cause symptoms
Can stomach cancer be prevented?
You can reduce your risk by:
don’t smoke or quit smoking
eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits and low in smoked, pickled, and salted foods
detection and treatment of helicobacter pylori infection
I have been diagnosed with stomach cancer. What I can do?
If you have recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer, you may feel overwhelmed, scared, anxious and upset. These are all normal feelings. Seek support from family and friends; and ask your doctor to refer you to relevant local services and support groups.