Stomach cancer is a very serious disease characterized by uncontrolled reproduction of abnormal cells. This pathology is several times more often diagnosed in men, and over the age of 50 years. In this article, we will talk about how stomach cancer develops (symptoms and manifestations of the disease in the early stages), as well as what methods of treatment modern medicine offers.
General information
Stomach cancer is a disease of an oncological nature, which is characterized by the development of a malignant neoplasm from the epithelium of the mucous membrane. A tumor can form in any part of this organ. The risk of getting sick increases significantly both in men and in the fair sex after 50 years. As for the issue of the geographical distribution of this pathology, in Russia this disease is in second place in terms of the frequency of diagnosis among allmalignant neoplasms. So, for every 100,000 he althy people, there are approximately 36 sick people. The situation is worse only in Japan, Scandinavia and Brazil.
According to experts, circumstances have changed dramatically over the past 30 years. Doctors note a gradual decrease in the incidence of cancer. For example, in America, this pathology is diagnosed relatively rarely (only five cases per 100,000 population).
Today, scientists have proven that oncology cannot occur in an absolutely he althy stomach. The disease is always preceded by the so-called precancerous stage, when a change in the nature of the cells lining the inside of this organ is observed. On average, this condition lasts from 10 to about 20 years.
Symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages can be confused with gastritis or an ulcer. Initially, a small tumor forms. Over time, it can increase in size, grow deeper and wider. At this stage, the disease manifests itself in the form of a violation of normal digestion. As a result, a person begins to lose weight for no reason. Growing through the walls of the stomach, the neoplasm can move to other organs (colon, pancreas).
The disease is characterized by the early appearance of metastases (separation of cancer cells from the tumor and their further spread throughout the body). They most often affect the lymph nodes and liver. Also, the lungs, bones, peritoneal space, ovaries can be involved in the pathological process. Gradually changing the work of allaffected organs, resulting in death.
Main reasons
Currently, the exact causes that provoke the development of the disease are not fully understood. Experts only identify a set of factors, the action of which together leads to the formation of cancer.
- Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. Scientists have long proven that this bacterium can not only survive perfectly in an acidic environment, but also cause peptic ulcers and gastritis. As medical practice shows, sometimes these pathologies degenerate into cancer. Helicobacter Pylori gradually deforms the mucosa of the organ, hydrochloric acid begins to affect the unprotected walls of the stomach, causing numerous erosions. This kind of ulceration is considered an excellent environment for the vital activity of cancer cells.
- Unhe althy food. The presence in the diet of fried, fatty, spicy and s alty foods several times increases the likelihood of developing a malignant neoplasm.
- The presence of nitrates and nitrites in the body. It is assumed that these substances have a high chemical activity. They can violate the usual integrity of the cells of the gastric mucosa and penetrate into their structure. The source of nitrates and nitrites in our country, as a rule, are vegetables. In addition, s alts of nitrous and nitric acids are found in large quantities in smoked meats, some cheeses, tobacco, and beer.
- Bad habits. In addition to the fact that nitrates and nitrites are also present in alcoholic beverages in high doses, the provocateur of malignant neoplasms can be itselfethanol. Scientists have proven that the longer a person smokes, the higher the likelihood that symptoms of stomach and intestinal cancer will be detected at a young age.
- Long-term medication. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids - all of these medicines have a number of side effects, which include the development of stomach ulcers. As you know, it can develop into a real tumor.
- Exposure to radiation.
The risk group also includes people with overweight, hereditary predisposition and other oncological ailments.
What diseases can precede stomach cancer?
- Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin plays a direct role in the formation of many body cells.
- Polyps of the stomach.
- Some subspecies of chronic gastritis (atrophic form, Menetrier's disease, etc.).
- Stomach ulcer. According to experts, in 12% of cases this pathology develops into stomach cancer.
Symptoms and manifestations of the disease
This ailment at the initial stages of development, as a rule, does not have specific signs. The patient may feel constant fatigue, complain of fatigue and causeless weight loss. After eating, the patient may experience heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, bloating, or even indigestion. Such symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages (photos of patients can be found in the medical literature) should be the reason for seeking treatment forconsultation with a doctor.
As the disease progresses and the tumor grows, more and more symptoms may appear:
- Breach of stool.
- Discomfort in the upper abdomen.
- Quick satiety.
- Increase in the size of the abdomen.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- vomiting blood.
All of the above signs most often indicate stomach cancer. Symptoms, manifestations of the disease are not a sufficient condition for confirming the diagnosis, as they may indicate other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is extremely important to undergo a detailed examination.
Disease classification
Based on which cells underlie the neoplasm, the following types of stomach cancer are distinguished:
- Adenocarcinoma. This is the most common form of the disease. Tumor formation occurs on the basis of those cells that are directly responsible for the production of mucus.
- Leiomyosarcoma. The neoplasm consists predominantly of the muscle cells of the organ.
- Lymphoma. The tumor is based on lymphatic cells.
- Solid gastric cancer. Photos of this pathology can only be viewed in specialized literature, since it is extremely rare.
- Rictic cell carcinoma. Examination of such a neoplasm under a microscope reveals the similarity of forms with a ring, which was the reason for its name. This form of the disease is characterized by a rapid increase in pathological cells and earlymetastasis.
Stages of disease
Today, experts conditionally distinguish several stages in the development of pathology, thanks to which it is possible to classify stomach cancer. Symptoms and manifestations of the disease at the initial stages of development may be absent, which significantly complicates its diagnosis.
The term “five-year survival rate” is widely used to predict cancer treatment. If after therapy the patient lives 5 years, he can be considered he althy. Such a patient has every chance that he will never encounter this type of cancer again.
The overall survival rate for this disease, according to statistics, is 20% among all patients. This relatively low percentage is due to the late diagnosis of the disease. However, each specific case is still individual, whether it is the initial stage of the development of the disease or stage 4 stomach cancer with metastases. How long people with such a diagnosis live depends primarily on the timeliness of treatment and compliance with all doctor's recommendations.
- Zero stage. At this stage, only the gastric mucosa is involved in the pathological process. Treatment is through endoscopic surgery. In 90% of cases, patients recover completely.
- The first stage. The tumor penetrates deeper into the mucous membrane, metastases form in the lymph nodes around the stomach. With timely treatment, the probability of recovery is from 60 to 80%.
- Second stage. The neoplasm does not affect only muscle tissue. Five-year survival at diagnosisdisease is 56%.
- Third stage. Pathological cells penetrate the walls of the organ, the lymph nodes are completely affected. With a diagnosis of stomach cancer, stage 3, life expectancy is low (15 out of a hundred people can live five years or more).
- The fourth stage. A cancerous tumor penetrates deeply not only into the organ itself, but also metastasizes to other parts of the body (pancreas, liver, ovaries, lungs). In this form, the disease is diagnosed in 80% of patients. However, only five out of a hundred people have a chance to live five years or more.
Experts warn: even a complete cure for oncology does not have a positive prognosis in every case. The thing is that such a disease has a tendency to relapse, which can only occasionally be eliminated by repeated surgical intervention. Late detection of the disease in our country is explained very simply. Firstly, many doctors do not have enough knowledge in this field of medicine to confirm the disease in time. Secondly, patients seek help very late, for example, when they are diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. How long do such patients live? Of course, neglecting one's own he alth entails worse prognosis.
Diagnosis
Treatment can only be successful if a specialist can confirm stomach cancer in the early stages. The manifestations of the first signs of the disease should alert and become a reason for seeking advice from a gastroenterologist.
Today the main research methodpathology is considered gastroscopy (EGDS). During this procedure, the doctor assesses the general condition of the mucous membrane of the organ, makes a biopsy of its suspicious areas. Histological examination of the obtained material allows you to determine the nature of the neoplasm (malignant / benign). Sometimes additionally assigned:
- X-ray examination of the digestive tract.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- CT.
- Biochemical blood test to detect anemia.
Treatment
Is it possible to overcome stomach cancer? Manifestations of a malignant tumor, the presence of metastases, the size of the neoplasm, the degree of its germination in neighboring areas - all these factors primarily determine the tactics of therapeutic measures. Modern medicine offers three treatment options for this kind of pathology: removal of the tumor through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The specific treatment strategy is chosen by the doctor after a complete examination of the patient.
In case of early diagnosis of the tumor (zero or first stage), when there are no metastases, it is possible to completely excise the cancerous tumor. During the operation, the doctor removes a section of the stomach wall, nearby tissues, and lymph nodes.
Radiotherapy is recommended to stop the growth of abnormal cells and reduce the size of the tumor itself. Chemotherapy has to be resorted to in the diagnosis of "gastric cancer of the 4th degree with metastases." How long do patients live after the coursetreatment, unfortunately, it is impossible to say for sure. Very often, doctors prescribe radiation and chemotherapy together to enhance the positive effect.
Diet
Of course, with such a diagnosis, it is recommended to pay special attention not only to therapy itself, but also to the daily diet. Experts advise avoiding foods that contain nitrates. The thing is that these substances are able to degenerate into nitrites and form nitrosamines. The latter, in turn, often act as the main cause of the development of gastric cancer. The formation of nitrosamines can be prevented by regular consumption of foods with antioxidants, vitamins C and E. In addition, the daily diet of a patient with this diagnosis should include food with a low glycemic index. These foods are slow digesting and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
This article has already listed the main methods of how to diagnose stomach cancer in the early stages. After the doctor has confirmed the presence of the disease and prescribed the appropriate treatment, the question arises of how to eat. The diet of the patient should be as balanced as possible and rich in vitamins. It is recommended to eat fruits and vegetables (preferably raw), chicken and lean fish (source of protein).
We will have to give up everything fatty and fried, sweets and pastries, red meat is banned. In consultation with the doctor, s alt can be excluded from the diet. The point is that consumptionit in large quantities contributes to the formation of ulcers on the walls of an already weakened stomach due to treatment.
Forecast and prevention
Stomach cancer (photos of patients with this disease are presented in this article) is most often diagnosed at the stage of an already incurable tumor. Only in 40% of cases, doctors detect a neoplasm in which there is a chance of a successful prognosis of a cure. Here we are talking about the disease in the early stages and without metastases. The rapid course of the pathology is most often found in the diagnosis of "gastric cancer, stage 3". The life expectancy of such patients and their general condition practically do not differ from those in the case of the disease of the fourth stage. In both situations, the prognosis for patients is extremely unfavorable.
Surgical treatment, coupled with various methods of antitumor therapy, gives a five-year survival rate in 12% of patients. If the symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages were noticed by the patients themselves, and they immediately sought medical help, the survival rate increases to 70%.
As for the issue of prevention, experts today strongly recommend treating all ailments in a timely manner, leading a he althy lifestyle and eating right. In addition, it is very important to eliminate bad habits, with special attention to taking medications.
In conclusion, it should be noted that today more and more often diagnosed with stomach cancer. Symptoms andmanifestation of this disease should be the reason for consultation with a specialist. The sooner the doctor confirms the pathology and prescribes the appropriate treatment, the higher the chances of a favorable prognosis. Lost time or inattention to one's own body often costs a person's life.
