Gastroenterology

Gastric Cancer

Gastric Cancer

 

Although the incidence of gastric cancer has decreased over the years compared to other types of cancer, it remains important in terms of being a partially preventable type of cancer. Particularly, scientific developments in the field of stomach cancer have provided serious breakthroughs in preventing cancer before it occurs.
Detection of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, one of the causes of stomach cancer, and most importantly, and showing that this bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, is the cornerstone of the fight against stomach cancer.
But there are doubts that eradicating (eliminating with antibiotics) H. Pylori will completely prevent stomach cancer. H. Pylori also leads to lymphoma, which can be counted among the malignant diseases of the stomach.

Ways to Prevent Stomach Cancer

  • Avoiding cancer-causing substances such as cigarettes and alcohol,
  • Eating healthy
  • Avoiding consuming too much salt
  • Not reusing frying oils.

Stomach cancer is a disease that usually progresses insidiously and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage when it presents its symptoms. On the other hand, even if it gives symptoms, it can be ignored by the patients since it can be seen in many other diseases.

Among the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

  • Weight loss,
  • Stomach ache,
  • Nausea-vomiting,
  • Anorexia,
  • Difficulty swallowing,
  • Bleeding
  • Early satiety
  • Ulcer-like pain

Stomach Cancer Risk Factors
In addition to genetics, environmental factors and some leading diseases that facilitate the development of cancer play a role in the formation of gastric cancer. It is generally accepted that gastric cancers occur by chance, but 10 percent of them are familial.

In the formation of stomach cancer; In addition to factors such as H. pylori, hereditary characteristics, nutrition, different reasons also play a protective or facilitating role.

In some occupational groups, the incidence of stomach cancer may be higher. The risk of stomach cancer is slightly higher in coal mine workers, rubber and asbestos workers, and those working in rubber and petrochemical manufacturing compared to the general population.

The probability of developing gastric cancer increases over the years in patients who have been operated for a benign stomach disease and whose stomach is exposed to more than normal bile and pancreatic secretion.

The risk of stomach cancer is doubled in those who start smoking at a young age and in heavy smokers.

In addition, conditions such as the following may be risk factors for stomach cancers:

  • Heavily salted brines
  • Some food preservatives
  • Fermented soybean
  • High-temperature meats
  • Moldy grains, seeds, kernel seeds (aflatoxin)
  • Fried foods, excessive consumption of red meat.

Stomach cancer often presents with complaints defined as indigestion. Therefore, it can be neglected by the patient for a long time. However, early intervention provides successful results in treatment. For these reasons, if the above-mentioned signs and symptoms are present, a physician should be consulted.
If your doctor suspects a stomach-related condition based on physical examination findings after listening to your family history and medical history, he or she may order some tests.

One of these examinations is gastroscopy. During gastroscopy, a flexible tube with a camera at the end is entered into your stomach through the mouth, and the inner wall of the stomach is examined, and samples are taken from suspicious areas and sent for pathological study. Cancer or precursor lesions can only be detected in this way.

If cancer is diagnosed, imaging techniques such as tomography, MR and PET can be used to determine the extent of the disease and to identify appropriate treatment options.

Treatment Methods
As in many other cancer types, surgical methods, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used in gastric cancer. Although surgery is the first choice in suitable patients, the prevalence of cancer and the general health status of the patient are of great importance in making the surgical decision.

The earlier the cancer is detected and the less it has spread, the higher the chance of cure with surgical treatments. In curative surgeries, most or all of the stomach and the lymph nodes around the stomach are removed. In addition, there are a number of surgical interventions performed to increase the comfort of life of the patients in advanced stages.

Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is used to slow tumor growth in advanced patients, to reduce the tumor to surgically removable sizes in patients who are suitable for surgery but have a large tumor size, and in 2-3. It can be used to reduce the chance of recurrence after surgery in stage disease.

Although radiotherapy is not a routine treatment method in the treatment of gastric cancer, it is a method that can be used to shrink tumors or to eliminate the feeling of pain in advanced stages.

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