Gastric carcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. It primarily affects men and women over the age of 70, but tumors can develop in younger patients as well. The cancer develops in the lining of the stomach and can quickly spread through the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment usually involves surgery and radiation therapy to ablate existing tumors and reduce the likelihood of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Early detection is essential in providing the best possible outcomes for gastric carcinoma.
People who suffer from gastric carcinoma may experience a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn, and indigestion. Frequent bouts of nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of fatigue are common in the later stages of cancer, and a person may start to lose weight as a result of his or her weakened appetite. Symptoms of gastric carcinoma tend to develop gradually over several months, and many people mistakenly attribute them to a less serious condition. It is very important to speak with a doctor whenever chronic gastrointestinal problems develop so a thorough cancer screening can be performed.
A doctor can check for gastric carcinoma by performing a series of diagnostic tests. Blood and stool samples are collected and examined in a laboratory to identify clinical signs of cancer and rule out other possible conditions, such as parasitic infections. X-rays and computerized tomography scans may be able to identify a tumor or some other physical abnormality. Finally, a specialist can insert a tiny camera down the throat and direct it to the gastrointestinal tract in a procedure called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. He or she can inspect the stomach lining and collect a tissue sample for lab analysis.
After confirming the diagnosis, treatment options can be considered. Small, early-stage tumors can often be removed surgically without damaging the stomach. If cancer has already become widespread in the stomach, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments may be necessary. The prognosis is generally good when gastric carcinoma is discovered and treated early, but the mortality rate increases dramatically for patients in the late stages of cancer.
Doctors are unsure of the exact causes of gastric carcinoma, but several possible contributing genetic and environmental factors have been identified. The most common cause is believed to be a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, a widespread pathogen that embeds into the gastrointestinal lining and destroys surrounding tissue. Smoking, alcohol abuse, and a diet high in salt and smoked meats are leading risk factors as well. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with gastric carcinoma have family histories of stomach cancer, meaning that genetics likely play a significant role.