Alastair J. Munro, a professor of radiation oncology, has reviewed this article about
stomach cancer for Net Doctor in the UK. When caught early, stomach cancer is the most curable form of cancer. The downside is that
symptoms in the
early stages are generally hard to detect. Early stage symptoms include indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite, and sometimes bloating and nausea. Many times a person will think he has been eating the wrong kinds of foods to cause these symptoms. Unfortunately, that may lead him to wait before being diagnosed. Advanced symptoms of stomach cancer include blood in stool, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. The cancer starts with the development of abnormal cells in the abdomen. As they grow, they form a mass or tumor. As the
tumor grows, more
signs are experienced. If untreated the cancer will
metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body. If caught early, usually the cancer can be removed before it begins to metastasize. At present, there is no known cause for stomach cancer. However, certain factors may increase the risk: African-American males over 50 years old, environment (smoking, diet), exposure to toxins, history of ulcers or other gastric conditions, and heredity. X-rays and a stool test ordered by a gastroenterologist is used to diagnose stomach cancer. The most effective
treatment is surgery to prevent the growth or spread of the tumor. This may consist of a partial gastrectomy (partial removal of the stomach) or a total gastrectomy (complete removal of the stomach). If the cancer is inoperable, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are available. These may also need to used after surgery to prevent re-growth of cancerous cells. This article on Net Doctor will give you good information concerning stomach cancer, the signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, reading this article will be a great help.
More abstracts about the Stomach Cancer