Stomach Cancer
Stomach Cancer Causes
Although the causes of many types of cancer aren't known, researchers have made progress in pinpointing factors that damage DNA in stomach cells and in understanding how that damage leads to cancer.
Stomach Cancer Definition
Stomach cancer can arise in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus and the small intestine. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stomach Cancer Diagnosis
The patient may have a gastroscopic exam, upper GI series, or a fecal occult blood test to help diagnose stomach cancer.
Stomach Cancer Symptoms and Signs
One initial sign of stomach cancer is microscopic internal bleeding, which is usually only detected by tests that check the stool for blood. The patient may also feel tired if this bleeding causes the loss of too many healthy red blood cells (anemia). Early stomach cancer may also lead to symptoms such as heartburn and abdominal pain, which can be mistaken for other, more common problems.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Cancer of the stomach is hard to cure unless it is found in an early stage (before it has begun to spread). Unfortunately, because early stomach cancer causes few symptoms, the disease is usually in the late stages when the diagnosis is made. Treatment for stomach cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------