Stomach cancer: when stomach' cells grow out of control

Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the gastric area (the muscular sac located in the upper middle abdomen, just below the ribs).

The stomach is a hollow, muscular, and dilated part of the gastrointestinal tract that plays a vital role in the digestive system. When the food bolus enters through the esophagus, various proteases and hydrochloric acid are released to break down nutrients, allowing for their subsequent absorption. The stomach also plays an immunological role since its low pH and specific conditions can kill bacteria and other microorganisms entering the body from the outside.

Another term for stomach cancer is gastric cancer. These two terms most often refer to stomach cancer that starts in the mucus-producing cells of the stomach's inner lining (adenocarcinoma). Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer.

Doctors classify stomach cancer into five main types based on the nature of its origin, such as:

• Adenocarcinoma: about 90% to 95% of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from cells forming the stomach's inner lining (known as the mucosa)
• Lymphoma: cancers of immune system tissue sometimes found in the stomach wall. Approximately 4% of stomach cancers are lymphomas
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): rare tumors that originate from early forms of cells in the stomach wall called interstitial cells of Cajal
• Carcinoid tumor: tumors that begin in hormone-producing cells in the stomach.
• Other types of cancer: Such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma, can also start in the stomach, but these cancers are very rare

Several factors can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Some risk factors are manageable, such as maintaining a healthier diet, while others, like family history, cannot be controlled.

Risk factors for stomach cancer include:

• Higher risk in men than women
• Diet
• Family history of stomach cancer
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
• Long-term stomach inflammation
• Pernicious anemia
• Smoking
• Stomach polyps
• Age

People with stomach cancer may experience some of the following symptoms, which are generally related to daily life and can be easier to notice compared to other types of cancer:

• Fatigue
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
• Severe and persistent heartburn
• Severe and relentless indigestion
• Persistent and unexplained nausea
• Stomach pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss

Survival in stomach cancer is closely tied to how advanced the tumor is within this organ. When detected in the early stages (I and II), the chances of survival are approximately 80% and 60%, respectively. In more advanced stages, the probability decreases to 25% (stage III) and 5% (stage IV). Since abnormalities in the stomach are relatively easy to notice due to the sensitivity of the digestive system, stomach cancer is often detected before it grows large enough to be as lethal as it could be.

IMPORTANT: EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER IS CRUCIAL SINCE CANCER DETECTED IN AN EARLY STAGE—BEFORE IT HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY OR SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY—IS MORE LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED. IN CONTRAST, IF THE CANCER HAS SPREAD TO OTHER ORGANS, TREATMENT BECOMES MORE CHALLENGING, AND THE PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL IS MUCH LOWER.

In the case of stomach cancer, detection can be carried out through an upper endoscopy to explore the inside of the stomach and collect a tissue sample if necessary. Additionally, imaging tests such as a CT scan or an X-ray test known as a barium swallow can be performed. However, these techniques can be harmful and even dangerous to the patient's health due to their potentially aggressive nature if not properly developed.