The exact cause of gastric cancer, which forms in tissues lining the stomach,
is unknown, but there are certain risk factors that may contribute to
why one person develops the disease and another does not. Risk factors
for gastric cancer are: age, sex, race, diet, helicobacter pylori infection,
smoking, certain health problems, and family history.
Early stomach cancer often does not cause clear symptoms, but as the cancer
grows the most common symptoms are discomfort in the stomach area, feeling
full or bloated after a small meal, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss.
If you have some of the above symptoms that suggest stomach cancer your
doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in diagnosing
and treating digestive problems. The physician will obtain your personal
and family health history. Additional blood or other lab tests may be
done along with a physical exam, upper GI series that consists of x-rays
of your esophagus and stomach, endoscopy, and biopsy. Through a biopsy
the tissue is sent to a pathologist to check the tissue for cancer cells.
Once diagnosis of gastric cancer is confirmed the doctor needs to know
the extent or stage of the disease. Additional tests may be ordered to
check this. Blood tests, chest x-rays, CT scan, endoscopic ultrasound,
or laparoscopy may be used to determine stage. Treatment options depend
mainly on the size and place of the tumor, the stage of disease, and your
general health. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation
therapy. After diagnosis, a treatment plan that is best for you will be
decided up on by you and your physician.
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