Gastric Cancer

Gastric (stomach) cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. More men than women are affected and patients are mostly above the age of 50 when diagnosed
This is more common in older people, and the risk is increased in patients with a history of smoking, a family history of stomach cancer or those with chronic inflammation of the stomach.

Symptoms
Unexplained weight loss is the most common symptom.
Early cancer rarely causes any symptoms, however indigestion and stomach discomfort can be present. As these symptoms are usually caused by benign conditions, stomach cancer is rarely diagnosed in its early stages and often found late when it is more difficult to treat. In advanced cases, there may be blood in the stool, nausea, vomiting or unexplained weight loss. Early satiety (feeling of fullness disproportionate to amount of food consumed) and general discomfort in the upper abdomen also occur.
Early cases may be discovered endoscopically in patients deemed to be at high risk.

Types and risks
The vast majority of gastric cancer is a type called adenocarcinoma and there are two distinct subtypes, intestinal-type and diffuse-type.
Intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma is believed to arise from changes in the cells that line the stomach. The process of change (called metaplasia) has several causes. These include a diet high in nitrites and salt (such as smoked meats), and low in fruit and vegetables (which contain antioxidants),
Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis. Smoking and alcohol, those who have previously undergone stomach surgery (partial gastrectomy) and those with blood type A are also at increased risk.
The risk factors for diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma and the preceding processes are largely unnknown.

Treatment
Successful treatment involves early detection and surgical removal of the tumour. Chemotherapy does not play a role in the treatment of gastric cancer.