Stomach Cancer

Epidemiology

Stomach cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract. It affects more men than women and the incidence increases with age.

Predisponsing factors

• Dietary habits, such as overeating salty, dried and smoked foods
• Helicobacter pylori infection causing atrophic gastritis, which is associated with stomach tumors
• Smoking
• Overdrinking of alcohol
• Gene mutations are associated with certain types of stomach cancer

Symptoms and signs

• Upper abdomen pain
• Indigestion and postprandial discomfort
• Nausea, vomiting
• Anemia
• Hematemesis

In more advanced disease there is weight loss or even palpable abdominal mass.

Diagnosis

The basic diagnostic method for stomach cancer is gastroscopy and biopsy. Computed tomography of the abdomen and chest checks the extent of the disease.

Treatment

Surgical removal of the tumor when initially diagnosed significantly increases the chances of a cure. In case of locally advanced or metastatic disease, the patient can be treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy.