Is it possible to cure stomach cancer: causes, symptoms, stages of cancer, necessary treatment, the possibility of recovery and cancer mortality statistics

2024 Author: Curtis Blomfield | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 05:35

Malignant degeneration of the epithelium of the gastric mucosa is called cancer of this digestive organ. It is believed that in most cases the main cause of the disease in question is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. However, the development of this disease consists of several stages. Can stomach cancer be cured without surgery? Read more about this.

First stage cancer

Experts from the field of medicine say that many different reasons affect the spread of stomach cancer in the human body. So, mutations occur due to carcinogens. In the general case, the oncology in question can develop against the background of benign formations of certain types, peptic ulcer or gastritis. It is also possible to develop an ailment due to the ingestion of carcinogens into the stomach with food (after all,nitrates and glutamates are often added to foods to improve appearance). Tobacco smoking and alcoholic beverages are also often associated with stomach cancer.

Lack of sufficient amounts of vitamins C and E often contribute to the onset of the disease in question, since these organic compounds protect the epithelium of the stomach.

Among internal carcinogens, heredity, infection and lack of immunoglobulin are distinguished.

The second stage of this disease

If diseases such as gastritis, stomach ulcers or the presence of dysplasia of the walls of this organ develop under the influence of carcinogens, then the malignant course of the disease should be noted. In addition to the above reasons, additional factors that are still unknown to science should be named. After all, the mechanism of degeneration into malignant cells has not been thoroughly studied. Although it can be said for sure that infection with the bacterium H. Pylori, disruption of the lining of the stomach walls and carcinogens lead to the appearance of cancer of the digestive organ in question.

Symptoms

Stomach cancer is a malignant transformation of epithelial cells. Mostly this disease affects people from 50 to 70 years. Helicobacter pylori bacteria infect the walls of the stomach, which leads to neoplasms. This is the most common oncological disease, men get sick much more often than women. In Russia, gastric cancer occupies a leading position among cancer patients, while it must be said that other organs do not stand aside. The large intestine, mammary gland and lung are malignantly affected.

The disease does not developrapidly, sometimes the period of its development reaches 6 years.

Relatively low incidence in Western Europe, and the highest in Russia and in some other countries. Gastric cancer is directly associated with H. Pylori, mainly preceded by diseases such as gastritis, polyps on the walls of the stomach, peptic ulcer and mucosal dysplasia. The development of this disease is directly affected by the use of alcohol, smoking, the use of flavor enhancers, food dyes, flavorings.

In some developed countries, such as Japan, cancer is diagnosed at an early stage of development, and therefore the survival rate of patients is about 70%. Men with cancer live about 12 years and women about 15 years.

Currently, active attempts are being made to diagnose cancer at an early stage of its development. Oncologists use immunohistochemical markers MMP-9. They are designed to perform early surgery and rid the body of the growth of cancer cells.

Stages

Designation of the primary tumor - T with the addition of numbers from 1 to 4 and small capital letters (a, b) in order to display the elements of carcinogenesis occurring in the primary neoplasm. The designation of the defeat of regional lymphoid structures is N with the addition of numbers from 0 to 3 and small capital letters (a, b). To designate distant metastases, the Latin letter - M and the numbers - 0, 1 are used to indicate the absence or presencedistant metastases.

Can stage 1 stomach cancer be cured? Stage 1 is encrypted in three versions:

1. Stage 1A (T₁ N₀ M_{0) - stage 1 primary tumor, grows into the mucous and submucosal layers, there is no damage to the lymph nodes and distant metastases.}
2. Stage 1B, type 1 (T₁ N₁ M_{0) - primary the tumor grows into the mucous and submucosal layers, metastases in 1-6 regional lymph nodes, no distant metastases.}
3. Stage 1B, type 2 (T_2a/b N₀ M_{0) - the primary tumor has grown into the muscle and subserosal layer, no lesions of the lymph nodes and distant metastases can be traced.}

Can stage 2 stomach cancer be cured? It is necessary to consider the classification in more detail. Stage 2 can be encrypted in three alternatives:

1. (T₁ N₂ M_{0) - the main tumor grows into the mucous and submucosal layer, 7-15 regional lymph nodes are involved, there are no distant metastases.}
2. (T_2a/b N₁ M_{0) - the original tumor in the muscle and subserous layer, the involvement of 1-6 regional lymph nodes and the absence of distant metastases are diagnosed.}
3. (T₃ N₀ M_{0) - the primary tumor is located in the serosa and visceral wall, there is no involvement of nearby organs, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases are not traced.}

Before you know if stomach cancer can be cured 3stages, it is necessary to understand its classification. Stage 3 is encrypted in several ways:

1. Stage IIIA, type 1 (T_2a/b N₂ M_{0), what does it mean to involve the muscular and subserous layer of the stomach wall in the pathogenesis, the defeat of 7-15 regional lymph nodes and the absence of distant metastases.}
2. Stage IIIA, type 2 (T₃ N₁ M_{0), then violation of absolutely all layers of the serous membrane of the stomach, there is no involvement of adjacent organs, damage to 1-6 regional lymph nodes, no distant metastases are observed.}

Before you know whether it is possible to cure stage 4 stomach cancer, you need to familiarize yourself with its classification. Stage 4 can be encrypted in three key ways:

1. (T₄ N₁, N₂, N ₃, M₀), tumor advancement into surrounding organs, damage to regional lymph nodes (1-6) – N₁, or (7-15) – N₂, or (more than 15) – N_{3, no distant metastases.}
2. (T₁, T₂, T₃, N ₃ M₀), damage to the mucous and submucosal layer - T₁ or damage to the muscular and subserosal - T _{2, or the defeat of absolutely all layers, the defeat of more than 15 regional lymph nodes, the absence of distant metastases.}
3. (T_any, N_any, M_{1), primary tumor of different variants growth, in addition, all kinds of lesions of regional lymph nodes, the inherent presence of distant metastases.}

Inoperable cancer

Thus, the stage of the disease is determined, at which it is unrealistic or pointless to use methods of surgical removal (resection) of the lobe of the stomach and lymph nodes in order to eliminate the disease. Inoperable cases do not include palliative manipulations to alleviate the patient's condition.

Inoperable cancer can be:

• Locally advanced, if a significant part of the stomach is damaged or numerous lesions are located mosaically and affect vital parts of the body (large arteries, nerve areas), cells spread by lymphogenous, contact or implantation.
• Metastatic if distant organs are found, usually the liver, lungs, adrenal glands, bones and subcutaneous tissue. Cancer cells spread throughout the bloodstream.

How to treat stage 4 stomach cancer?

The most positive results are observed with radical radiation therapy of locally advanced processes. According to certain information, life expectancy after the implementation of the direction of combined treatment can be increased up to 20-24 months. At the same time, complications from the influence of ionizing radiation are significantly less than the therapeutic result, and the patient acquires the opportunity to continue life in the absence of pain. Unfortunately, providing more in the circumstances of today's medicine is unrealistic. As you can see, the ways to treat stomach cancer with metastases are not sotoo much.

The main pathways of metastasis flow through the lymphoid system, for this reason, minor neoplasms and more important metastases are noticed primarily in the lymph nodes.

Metastases of stomach cancer:

• in pararectal tissue or near the rectum;
• at the navel;
• in the left supraclavicular region;
• in the area of the ovaries.

These secondary tumors are considered confirmation of the advanced stages of the disease, in which case the treatment strategy is chosen individually and is most of all palliative, that is, aimed at improving the quality of the patient's life.

Diagnosis

Since a cancerous tumor can grow in size, the timeliness of the examination and detection of the problem can be very important. Diagnostics is carried out in several stages, which include several methods. The first step is a regular examination by a doctor. At an early stage, it is possible to determine the presence of stomach cancer by some signs. These include, for example, pain in the abdomen and the condition of the skin.

The next step is instrumental diagnostics. Contrast X-ray diagnostic methods are most commonly used. However, this is only an indirect method for determining gastric cancer. Only some pathologies will be visible from the picture. In this case, the doctor will pay attention to a number of features. First of all, he will pay attention to the features of the formstomach. Are there any seals on its walls? It is also worth paying attention to the decrease in the elasticity of the tissues of the organ. However, this is only an indirect method for determining gastric cancer. But at the same time there is a chance of detection.

A more accurate method is endoscopy. There are already more factors to determine the disease. Through the use of a biopsy, color visualization is possible. An innovation in this direction is an unmanaged video capsule. It allows you to see the image of the stomach in real time on the monitor screen.

However, gastroendoscopy also has several disadvantages. Some patients may experience a gag reflex when swallowing the tube. It is also very difficult to distinguish a malignant from a benign tumor.

Another diagnostic method is morphological. Based on cytological and histological examination, the type of tumor can be determined.

Treatment Selection

The selection of a treatment strategy is determined by the stage of carcinogenesis and is discussed at a council with the participation of experts from several medical speci alties. The main method of treatment of the initial stages is surgical removal in combination with chemotherapy. Late stage treatments are considered palliative and symptomatic.

All patients are conditionally divided into 3 categories:

• First - patients have initial stages.
• Second - patients with operable locally advanced stage.
• Third - patients with an inoperable stage.

Sometimes even patients with initial stages are recognized as inoperable, for example, when a tumor of vital organs is affected or the operation is not feasible for other reasons.

The greatest possibility of an absolute cure without significant consequences for the body in the first category of patients. The prognosis within the second category has a significant variation due to many aspects of this stage of the disease. The least positive prognosis in patients of the last, third category. In this case, it is necessary to say about the extension and improvement of the quality of life of patients during the period of the disease.

How should stomach cancer be treated?

Surgical intervention for absolute treatment, as a rule, is not enough. The patient is observed for a long time in order to establish clinical dynamics. During this period, gastric cancer can be treated with chemotherapy to eliminate secret local sources of secondary carcinogenesis.

Chemotherapy has a general negative effect on the body. Its use is advisable only if there is a real possibility of increasing the chances of a cure, or at least improving the patient's quality of life.

Often adjuvant treatment is used. The term ''adjuvant'' means an increase or addition. That is, this type of chemotherapy is used after surgery, in contrast to non-adjuvant chemotherapy, which is used before surgery in order to reduce tumor volumes before surgery. In recent years, the approach to adjuvant exposure has changed. Formerly giventhe method was considered ineffective.

This therapy is carried out in the form of polychemotherapy (exposure to several substances) in two or three courses at different intervals. Pharmaceutical cytostatics are used in various combinations: Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Mitomycin and others.

Palliative care is another type of therapy that is used if partial or complete removal of the stomach and affected lymph nodes is not possible.

Complications after chemotherapy are inevitable. Cytostatics destroy the development and growth of malignant cells.

Juices

The disease is accompanied by the loss of large volumes of water by the body after repeated vomiting and stomach bleeding. With cancer, patients may complain of decreased appetite due to loss of taste and smell, pain, and other factors. There are many ways to treat stomach cancer with folk remedies. But you should pay attention to this one.

Juices, especially those with pulp, can actually always be beneficial for patients, especially if there is no edema. The recommended water intake is up to 2 liters per day. In addition to juices, it is allowed to consume milk, lactic acid foods, teas, compotes, fruit drinks.

How to treat stomach cancer with folk remedies using juices? It is rational to consume them freshly squeezed with pulp from:

• vegetables (carrots, beets, tomatoes, cabbage, celery, bell peppers, saladleaves);
• fruit (apple, pear);
• berries (currants, cherries, cranberries).

Diet

Severe disease requires a long course of treatment and appropriate care. Therapy can last more than one year, prolonging the life of the patient for several years. Along with effective methods of fighting a malignant neoplasm, it is also necessary to adhere to a well-chosen diet. The patient's diet should be adjusted in such a way as to reduce the risk of developing the disease. An integrated approach, including therapeutic and surgical procedures, the presence of a certain diet, will increase the chances of a full recovery.

Diet menu recommendations:

1. Reduce fat intake.
2. Eat more plant foods, eat more fruits.
3. Try to eat small meals, but often.
4. Restrict s alt, sugar and flour products.
5. Exclude alcohol and coffee from your diet.

Products that irritate the gastric mucosa will only provoke a relapse of the disease. The patient should eat only dishes from fresh and natural products. You only need to prepare for one day. By following all the recommendations for proper nutrition in cancer, it will be easier to cope with the disease.

Prevention

For the prevention of stomach cancer at various stages, special work is being done to raise awareness among the population. Wherein,regarding general events, there are several main theses:

• Detailed description of the degree of danger of this disease, encouraging the population to take certain precautions in everyday life.
• What to do if the person is already sick.
• Inciting the population to a he althy lifestyle.

Regarding medical measures, work is being done with people at risk. This work consists in the prevention and treatment of pathologies that precede cancer. Moreover, the main efforts in this case are aimed at combating the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is the cause of the disease in most cases.

People at risk have a history of:

• genetic predisposition;
• presence of carrier bacterium;
• gastric resection;
• extensive experience in the chemical industry;
• chronic deficiency of hydrochloric acid production;
• pernicious anemia;
• autoimmune atrophic gastritis;
• gastric adenoma.

Possibility of recovery and mortality statistics

On average, the life expectancy of men with stomach cancer is reduced by 12 years. For women, this figure is 15 years. According to Russian statistics, the survival of patients is as follows:

1. At the first stage, as a rule, it is possible to detect pathology in about 10-20% of patients. And in most cases, 60-80% of them survive within 5 years.
2. In the second and third stagesregional lymph nodes are affected. And this sign, as a rule, is determined in 30% of patients, among which about 15-45% survive for 5 years
3. At the fourth stage, there are already metastases in neighboring organs, so at this stage the pathology is much easier to detect, and it is detected in half of the patients. Within 5 years only 5-7% of them survive

There are plenty of clinics that treat stage 4 stomach cancer in Russia. But still, experts advise to receive a course of treatment in Israel or Germany. Their methods are newer and more effective.

In the process of researching this disease, new methods of better treatment of this disease and methods for detecting it at various stages are being created.