Infiltrative cancer of the stomach, known in medicine as endophytic, is one of the most dangerous oncological diseases affecting humans. Features of localization, the specificity of the growth of the atypical area are such that the diagnosis of pathology at an early stage is extremely difficult. A fairly high percentage of cases can be identified only when the disease has progressed significantly. Most often, histological analysis allows the diagnosis of scirrhus, due to which infiltrative cancer and scirrhus are considered by many to be the same disease. In fact, the first concept is broader, in addition to skirra, it includes some other forms of oncology.
Study problems
At a consultation with an oncologist (there are many experienced specialists in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities), the doctor will pay special attention to the condition of the mucosa. If there is a suspicion of infiltrative cancer, it is necessary to assess the relief and the degree of its deviation from the norm. At some stages of development, infiltrative cancer is localized strictly in the submucosal layer, which makes it especiallypay close attention to assessing the condition of a hospital client.
If a patient has infiltrative stomach cancer, the mucous membranes may look completely he althy for a long time. You can suspect an oncological disease by the stability of these tissues - it is the absence of variability that can tell the doctor what he had to deal with. Sometimes the disease develops according to a different scenario - atypical cells are localized in those parts of the body where there are no folds. However, in the predominant percentage of cases, the study of the mucous membrane of the organ is impossible due to increased rigidity of the gastric walls.
Attention to detail
In order to detect infiltrative-ulcerative cancer of the stomach in time, if malignant processes are suspected, it is necessary to monitor the change in the organ, its deformation over time, and the correction of contours. In an impressive percentage of patients, the exit section is circularly reduced, the lesser curvature becomes shorter, and the angle becomes more developed. As the pathology progresses, the stomach becomes smaller in size; manifestations of microscopic gastria can be seen on the X-ray. In some areas, elements of the intestine are exposed.
If a patient has developed infiltrative cancer in the upper third of the stomach, the contours of the organ remain clear, they are quite even. The aperist altic area is pronounced. This feature makes it easier to determine the boundaries of infection. Its detection is an important element in clarifying the form of cancer.
Practice shows that the considered form of oncology is one of the most difficultfor diagnosis by methods available to modern doctors. Mistakes in the diagnosis are quite common. This applies to the study of the condition of patients both with the help of X-rays and through an endoscope. The prognosis for infiltrative gastric cancer is unfavorable. The results of treatment largely depend on the stage at which the disease was diagnosed. The best chances, of course, if you start treatment already at the first stage.
Features of the disease
Infiltrative form of stomach cancer is formed from the gastric epithelium. On visual inspection, it shows itself as an ulcer of a fairly large depth (especially in the last stages). The bottom of the formation is dense, covered with tubercles. Germination occurs deep into the gastric wall. The disease is characterized by an increased level of malignancy. The tumor grows rapidly, spreads to the tissues of the organ. Often, infiltrative cancer of the body of the stomach is characterized by numerous lesions, as a result of which the diseased area covers the organ completely.
Atypical cells spread in the submucosal layer. This part of the stomach is distinguished by an abundance of vessels for the flow of lymph, and diseased elements can quickly spread throughout the body through the lymphatic system. The infiltrative form of the disease is characterized by the early appearance of metastases.
The progress of pathology is associated with the destruction of gastric tissues and the expansion of the walls of the organ. The ability of the stomach to function is gradually inhibited until the complete loss of efficiency.
Where did the trouble come from?
BCurrently, infiltrative gastric cancer has not been studied well enough, so it cannot be said with certainty that all possible causes of the development of pathology have been found. It is known that malignancy is characteristic of tissues affected by chronic ulcers or gastritis, which is characterized by atrophic processes in gastric tissues. Medical studies show that the degeneration of ulcerated areas into malignant ones is possible at any stage of the disease.
In some cases, infiltrative stomach cancer appears due to genetic prerequisites. Most of these people become patients of the oncology department at a young age. There is a risk of cancer with malnutrition and excessive eating of smoked, spicy, as well as with the abuse of s alt. The likelihood of a malignant neoplasm increases if a person includes too rarely and few fruits and vegetables in the menu.
How to notice?
One of the dangers of infiltrative-ulcerative form of stomach cancer is the duration of the period without symptoms. Sooner or later, the patient is faced with difficulties that indicate a weakening of gastric functionality. It is difficult not only to determine the presence of cancer in time, but also to accurately determine the boundaries of tissue malignancy.
It is possible to suspect an advanced form of infiltrative-ulcerative stomach cancer if this area is disturbed by pain that does not correlate with meals. There is no remission, and the acidity of the juice produced by the gastric structures becomes lower. The patient is disturbedheartburn, nausea, and bowel movements accompanied by spotting. In most cases, their volumes are insignificant, so it will not be possible to notice the presence of blood by eye, but laboratory tests will give an accurate result. The patient quickly feels full, so the appetite gradually weakens until it disappears completely. Against this background, there is a decrease in weight, anemia. Worried about feeling tired, weak.
In diffusely infiltrative gastric cancer, following a strict diet can relieve symptoms for a short time. This temporary improvement does not indicate a cure.
Clarification of the diagnosis
In order to identify diffuse infiltrative stomach cancer or to determine another reason that explains the deterioration of a person's condition, it is first necessary to obtain blood samples for laboratory testing. With oncological diseases, the ESR index increases, the concentration of leukocytes, it is possible to detect specialized markers indicating the presence of atypical cells in the body.
The patient is immediately sent for an x-ray using a contrast agent. Apply barium sulfate in the form of a suspension. This technique allows assessing the gastric relief, detecting the presence of a pathological process and assessing how large areas are covered by it. It is necessary to do an ultrasound examination to visualize the features of the organ. With this study, it is possible to assess the density of the gastric walls and identify metastases, if any, are observed in the peritoneum.
In any reliable oncology clinic in our country (and especially in Moscow), an oncologist's consultation ends with the issuance of a referral for examination using an endoscope. Gastroscopy is carried out in such a way as to obtain tissue samples for histological examination in the laboratory. Finally, computed tomography is needed. Currently, this is the most accurate and effective method for assessing the size and localization of the tumor process. CT allows you to determine the presence of metastases in different parts of the body, even if they are small in size.
Diagnosis confirmed! What to do?
The treatment of infiltrative-ulcerative form of stomach cancer is carried out in 3 approaches: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation. The most important element is surgery. Being done on time, it allows you to minimize the risk of bleeding. As statistics show, it is this complication that leads to death in most cases of infiltrative gastric cancer. Choose the scope of intervention, assessing the stage of the disease. There are two main approaches: palliative, radical. The first option is relevant if an infiltrative-ulcerative form of gastric cancer of the 3rd or 4th degree is established - it is aimed at alleviating the symptoms and providing the patient with the longest possible life.
A number of patients arrive at the clinic in a state where surgery is contraindicated. In this case, only treatment with medication and radiation is possible. This course is aimed at reducing the volume of neoplasm and easing the symptoms of the disease.
Chemo-radiation treatment
Chemotherapy is used when the patient is contraindicated in surgery, as well as after and before surgical interventions. After the operation, the so-called adjuvant treatment is practiced, before - non-adjuvant. In the last stages of the disease, medications are prescribed in such a way as to alleviate the patient's condition and somewhat improve the quality of his daily life.
Irradiation as a method of treatment for infiltrative gastric cancer is used only as an auxiliary technique. It allows you to increase the effectiveness of drugs and surgical interventions, improve the patient's prognosis.
Can I warn you?
It is now known that infiltrative gastric cancer often develops against the background of gastritis, peptic ulcer. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the likelihood of oncological processes if, with such diagnoses, adequate treatment is started on time and preventive examinations are carried out twice annually.
A he althy person needs to take measures to minimize the risk of gastritis, atrophy of gastric tissues, and erosion of the mucosa. Prevention of these pathological conditions is the best method of oncology prevention. It is also important to give up bad habits, eat right, if possible, consume as little as possible s alty, canned and smoked meats, spicy, fast food.
Oncology: stomach lesion
Currently, gastric cancer is one of the most common oncological pathologiesas well as damage to the respiratory system. Mortality rates with this diagnosis in our country are exceptionally high. There are several forms of gastric cancer, but it is infiltrative that is most common. It competes in prevalence with the primary ulcerative form. Other types of malignant processes are diagnosed much less frequently.
When a cancerous ulcer is observed thrombosis, sclerosis surrounding the diseased area of the blood vessels. In the cicatricial bottom, the structure of muscle tissue is disturbed. Histological examination often allows you to establish the structure of adenocarcinoma. The undifferentiated type is somewhat less common.
Doctors estimate the incidence of gastric ulcer malignancy at 7-10%, although some experts believe that the rate does not exceed 2%. The likelihood of malignancy is higher when an ulcer and atrophic gastritis are observed at the same time - both diseases are considered precancerous. In some cases, infiltrative cancer is explained by epithelial dysplasia. Some researchers are convinced that at present there is no reliable information that allows us to talk about the possibility of malignancy of a high-quality gastric ulcer.
Ulcer: does it turn into a tumor?
It is possible to suspect malignancy of the ulcerative process if the nature of the previous disease changes. With an ulcer, there is usually a long remission, the frequency of acute forms. With the transformation of the disease, the duration of remission decreases, the periodicity disappears, the cyclicity of the patient's condition is not observed, and the pain becomesnot so sharp, but felt constantly, without being tied to a meal. Without obvious reasons, the patient is weak, and palpation in the stomach is accompanied by less pain than before.
If the cancer appeared on the background of an ulcer, medications and proper nutrition can lead to an improvement in the condition until the manifestations of the disease disappear on the X-ray. This does not indicate the healing of the ulcerated area, but only indicates the growth of the tumor.
If an ulcer is detected in a patient at an advanced age, it is necessary to immediately conduct a thorough examination to clarify the fact of malignancy. It is taken into account that infiltrative cancer can show all the signs of benign ulceration when examined with an x-ray or endoscope. To accurately determine the patient's condition, it is necessary to take tissue samples for histological examination. Get the cells of the edges of the diseased area, the bottom.
Forecasts and prospects
Of course, perhaps the most pressing question for those who have infiltrative stomach cancer is how long they live with such a diagnosis. Much depends on the stage of the disease, the individual characteristics of the patient, the body's ability to fight the disease, as well as the tolerance of drugs.
It is believed that, on average, if cancer is detected at the initial stage, the survival rate is 90-100%, at the second stage - up to 87%, at the third - about 60%. Among persons in whom the disease is detected at the fourth stepdevelopment, five-year survival does not exceed 20%. If after a five-year period there is no recurrence of the disease, the patient is considered cured. Most often, pathology is detected at the third stage. The probability of a complete cure is higher if there are no metastases or there are no more than two of them.
