The incidence of stomach cancer (GC) is very high in Japan, Iceland, Chile. Nutrition is of great importance in the development of the disease: the intake of high-calorie, smoked, s alty foods is the main risk factor. In contrast, the use of vitamins and fiber is protective. Currently, the carcinogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus has been proven. Current risk factors are smoking and drinking.
Stomach cancer: symptoms and treatment
It is very important to know the main signs of the disease. Early symptoms of stomach cancer appear only with sufficient development of the tumor, when the lumen of the organ narrows, its volume decreases and evacuation is disturbed. The manifestation of gastric cancer may begin with bleeding or signs of severe intoxication caused by tumor decay. The main symptom of stomach cancer depends on the localization of the process with the type of growth, on the histological picture, the involvement of neighboring organs, and the impact on the entire body.
Dysphagia
Most often, gastric cancer is manifested by a violation of the patency of the body. This symptom of stomach cancer occurs earlier when localized in the cardiac orpyloric region and almost never in the body of the stomach. When spreading to the esophagus, there are difficulties in swallowing: first solid, and then liquid food. This phenomenon is accompanied by heartburn, belching with a fetid odor, exhaustion, weight loss. This symptom is more often observed with endophytic tumor growth.
Pain
Pain symptom of stomach cancer is more often observed when the tumor is located in the upper third of the organ and is associated with increased peristalsis as a result of narrowing of the lumen. The pain is localized behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades, which is very similar to cardiac pathology. Pain in the left hypochondrium occurs with cancer of the fundus of the stomach. Usually such an ailment is diagnosed only in the later stages.
Palpable mass
An important symptom of stomach cancer is a palpable mass in the abdomen. Basically, it is determined by the localization of the tumor in the lower third of the organ. Cancer is difficult to palpate at other locations.
General complaints
The general somatic symptom of stomach cancer is characterized by the so-called syndrome of small signs:
- weakness;
- depressed;
- appetite loss;
- "gastric" discomfort;
- anemia;
- weight loss.
Summing up, we can highlight the main symptoms of the disease, these are: pain, dyspepsia, "gastric" discomfort, anemia, impaired evacuation.
Metastasis
Tumor spreads hematogenously to the liver, lungs, bones; lymphogenous - inumbilicus, Krukenberg metastasis. When metastasizing in the peritoneum, ascites occurs.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic measures are aimed at detecting a tumor, determining its local spread and metastasis, and assessing the general somatic condition. To detect and determine the development of cancer, x-rays and endoscopy of the stomach are used. Taking a piece of the tumor allows you to determine its histological structure, clear boundaries, the degree of germination of the organ wall. X-ray of the lungs, angiography, MRI, diagnostic laparoscopy are used to determine metastasis.
Treatment
To achieve the greatest effect, a complex of therapeutic measures is used: a combination of surgical intervention with removal of the lymphocollector, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
