Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, happens when normally healthy cells metastasize into growing cancer cells within the stomach lining. Stomach cancer affects men and women differently, so it can be difficult to diagnose as the stomach cancer symptoms can vary.

This type of cancer cell is slow-growing and can take years to develop. This blog gives information about the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, the different stomach cancer stages, primary causes, warning signs, and how to manage the disease.

What Are the Main Types of Stomach Cancer?

There are several different types of stomach cancer. The most common ones are:

1. Adenocarcinoma - Carcinoma occurs in the innermost lining of the stomach, and it’s the most widespread form of stomach cancer
2. Lymphoma – Lymphoma is cancer of the immune system that accounts for 4% of all stomach cancer and is not from the mucosa of the stomach lining.
3. It occurs in 2 forms: a. Primary lymphoma of the stomach  b. Secondary lymphoma of the stomach.
4. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor - This is a kind of soft tissue sarcoma that can grow in the stomach’s connective tissue.
5. Neuroendocrine cancer - Neuroendocrine cancer originates from cells in the intestines’ endocrine and nervous systems. They’re also called carcinoid tumors.

How Do You Define Stomach Cancer Stages?

Doctors use the Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) system to determine the stage of stomach cancer. Doctors examine how deeply the main tumor has spread. They analyze whether the tumor has reached the lymph nodes and if the cancer has spread to other body parts. They then stage each of these tumors from Stage 0 to Stage IV based on the TNM system.

Stomach cancer stages are classified as:

• Stage 0 is early cancer on the surface stomach lining.
• Stage 1A or 1B.
• Stage 2A or 2B is commonly involved with a deeper stomach wall.
• Stage 3A or 3B or 3C commonly occurs with the lymph node(s) involved
• Stage 4 means cancer has metastasized elsewhere in the body outside of the stomach.

What Are the Main Stomach Cancer Causes?

Various causes can lead to stomach cancer, including medical history and certain lifestyle choices. Some of the stomach cancer causes are H. pylori bacterial infections, stomach reflux (GERD), tumors, stomach polyps, smoking, diet, family history of stomach cancer, and stomach surgery.

How Is Stomach Cancer Treated?

Main stomach cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Your doctor will recommend one or a combination of these options, depending on the spread of the cancer cells. Targeted therapy is also performed when the patient requires the treatment that targets the genes, proteins, or tissue that supports the cancerous cell growth and survival. The targeted therapy for cancer halts the growth of cancer cells and prevents them from spreading while ensuring minimal damage to healthy cells. A healthy diet and lifestyle can also slow down the growth of cancer cells.

Early Warning Signs of Stomach Cancer

Some early warning signs of stomach cancer are:

1. Acid reflux
2. Heartburn
3. Feeling bloated after eating
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting, with or without blood
6. Loss of appetite
7. Abdominal pain or discomfort
8. Abdominal swelling

Contact COHA for Diagnosis and Treatment

If you notice early warning signs or are diagnosed with stomach cancer, contact or visit us at Chesapeake Oncology-Hematology Associates. We are committed to providing the best possible treatment for your needs. Our Stomach Cancer Treatment Options in Maryland include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and Immunotherapy. Schedule an appointment via https://www.cohamed.com/request-an-appointment or contact COHA  855-920-1230 for any query or diagnosis.