G_A_S_TRIC🦠🧑‍🔬 CANCER

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 Gastric Cancer_🧑‍🔬

Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, is a malignant condition that originates in the lining of the stomach. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, though its incidence has declined in many developed countries due to improvements in food preservation and Helicobacter pylori infection control.

Types of Gastric Cancer

The most common type of gastric cancer is adenocarcinoma, which arises from the glandular cells of the stomach lining.Less common types include:

Lymphoma: Cancer of the immune tissue in the stomach wall

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): Arising from the muscle or connective tissue

Carcinoid tumors: Originating from hormone-producing cells

Causes and Risk Factors

Gastric cancer often develops slowly over many years. Risk factors include:

Helicobacter pylori infection: A major risk factor

Diet: High intake of smoked, salted, or pickled foods

Smoking and alcohol: Increase risk

Family history: Genetic predisposition may play a role

Age and gender: More common in men over 50

Chronic gastritis and gastric polyps

Previous stomach surgery

Symptoms

Early-stage gastric cancer often presents no symptoms, making it hard to detect. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

Persistent indigestion or heartburn

Stomach pain or discomfort

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Unexplained weight loss

Blood in stool or vomiting blood

Feeling full after eating small amounts

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves.

Endoscopy: A camera is used to examine the stomach lining.

Biopsy: Tissue sample for histological examination

Imaging: CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays to determine spread

Blood tests: To assess overall health and look for tumor markers

Staging

Staging of gastric cancer determines how far the cancer has spread.

Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ

Stage I–III: Localized cancer of increasing severity

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastatic)

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the stage and may include:

Surgery

Subtotal or total gastrectomy: Removal of part or all of the stomach

Often combined with lymph node dissection

Chemotherapy

Often used before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery

Radiation therapy

Used in combination with chemotherapy for certain cases

Targeted therapy

Drugs like trastuzumab for HER2-positive tumors

Immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitors for advanced cases with specific biomarkers

Prognosis and Survival

Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early detection dramatically improves survival rates, while advanced-stage cancer carries a poorer prognosis. Regular follow-up and lifestyle changes can help improve outcomes and quality of life

Prevention

Screening in high-risk populations

Treating H. pylori infections

Diet rich in fruits and vegetables

Reducing intake of processed and smoked foods

Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol.


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