Gastric or stomach cancer is the term used for tumours arising out of the overgrowth of cells lining the stomach. It is important to be able to detect stomach cancer at the initial stage for treating it. This blog looks at some signs of stomach cancer and treatments associated with curing.

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

It has contrasting symptoms as likened to other types of cancer, like stomach cancer, which is commonly referred to as gastric cancer. Recognizing these signs is crucial for early detection and better treatment outcomes at the Best cancer hospital in Mumbai:

1. Abdominal Discomfort: The stomach cancer is usually preceded by persistent and uncomfortable pain in the epigastric area. One can feel uncomfortable with this pain, which may become worse as the food settles down inside the stomach.
2. Indigestion: Indigestion and heartburn, often frequent but unresponsive to over-the-counter antacids and lifestyle changes, maybe a red flag. It can develop as a burning feeling in the chest or upper abdomen.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: Vomiting that shows traces of blood together with feeling sick in the stomach due to stomach cancer. Blood in vomit (hematemesis) could be a sign of bleeding within that part of the digestive system.
4. Unexplained Weight Loss: If this happens suddenly and one’s weight decreases greatly (about 10 pounds or more) without being on a diet or having intense exercises, it is considered worrying.
5. Loss of Appetite: Reduction in appetite with loss of weight, which may be noticed even before diagnosis of stomach cancer. Failure to desire food leads to reduced body weight and muscle wasting.
6. Bloody Stools: Dark, tarry or bloody stools (known as melena) may occur due to bleeding in the digestive tract. This symptom should be taken seriously and promptly evaluated.
7. Difficulty Swallowing: Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can occur when a stomach tumour obstructs food passage. This can be accompanied by pain or discomfort while swallowing.
8. Fatigue: Persistent fatigue and weakness can result from the ongoing battle within the body against cancer. Fatigue may be profound and debilitating, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
9. Feeling Full: Bloating or feeling full even after eating a little food may signal the inability of the stomach to increase its size and accommodate the food due to the stomach tumour.

Keep in mind there are also non-stomach cancer-related symptoms like these; however, when such occur regularly, particularly if they get aggravated, an urgent medical assessment from the Best ayurvedic cancer hospital in Delhi should be sought.

Is Stomach Cancer Curable?

The curability of stomach cancer is a complex topic that depends on several factors, primarily the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and the individual’s overall health. Let’s delve into the possibilities and considerations associated with stomach cancer cure.

Early-Stage Stomach Cancer:

Stomach cancer can be cured in most cases if it is an individual’s condition. Surgery is commonly used in the early stage of stomach cancer. The primary aim of surgery is to take out the cancerous growth together with surrounding lymph nodes and possibly touched tissues. In case the tumour involves only the mucosal layer without extending to outer layers or adjacent organs, there is a great chance to overcome it completely.

Advanced-Stage Stomach Cancer:

On the other hand, stomach cancer at an advanced stage, when it has affected other organs and lymphoid cells, proves difficult to cure. Here, the attention turns to how much time is left, the possible ways to relieve the agony, and improve the welfare at best. Although it is unlikely to find a total cure for stomach in later stages, treatment can help to stop the cancer from advancement, providing an alleviated experience.

Prognosis

The prognosis of stomach cancer, which is called gastric cancer, is essential for revealing the outcomes and survival opportunities associated with it. The word “prognosis” means predicting how a disease may progress and its likely outcomes, like recovery or death, as used by healthcare workers. The prognosis for stomach cancer also depends on other important issues, such as the stage of disease at the moment of diagnostics.

Staging of Stomach Cancer:

Staging is a process that classifies cancer based on the extent of its spread within the body. Staging helps medical professionals determine the most appropriate treatment plan and provides valuable information about the likely prognosis. Stomach cancer is typically staged from 0 to IV, with higher numbers indicating more advanced stages.

1. Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ): Only the inner layer of the stomach lining contains cancerous cells that have not spread to other tissues. At this point, the prognosis is usually good, and patients stand a great chance of full recovery.
2. Stages I and II: At this point, cancer may reach into more layers in the gastric wall or adjacent lymph nodes. Such prognosis is fairly acceptable provided that the tumour is circumscribed, enabling surgical excision.
3. Stage III: At that point stage, there has been an invasion of other neighbouring nodes as well as other adjacent organs and tissues by cancer. Though chances of recovery become not so optimistic; nevertheless, there are several ways to restore health using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
4. Stage IV: Stage four is when the highest level of stomach cancer whereby cancer goes to other parts and organs across the body. Sometimes, the prognosis is very poor and treatment changes into symptomatic control with an aim to optimize patients’ performance and give them a quality life.

Factors Affecting Prognosis:

1. Apart from the stage of cancer, several other factors can impact the prognosis of stomach cancer. Size: The size of the primary tumor can influence the prognosis. Smaller tumors may have a better prognosis than larger ones.
2. Lymph Node Involvement: The extent of lymph node involvement is critical. If cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, it may indicate a more aggressive disease.
3. Histological Type: The specific type of stomach cancer cells (histology) can also affect the prognosis. Some types may respond better to treatment than others.
4. Tumor Grade: Tumor grade represents the similarity of the cancer cells under a microscope to normal ones. Some low-grade tumors grow aggressively because they are high-grade ones, suggesting a less favorable prognosis.
5. Overall Health: A patient’s health and ability to tolerate treatment can influence the prognosis. Good general health may improve the chances of successful treatment.

Survival Rates:

Survival patients are statistics that provide an estimate of the percentage of people with a particular stage of cancer who are likely to survive for a specified period, typically five years. It’s important to note that survival rates are general statistics and cannot accurately predict an individual’s outcome. Survival rates for stomach cancer can vary widely depending on the stage and other factors. For example:

• In early-stage stomach cancer (stage 0–I), the individual survival rate can range from 70% to over 90%.
• In advanced-stage stomach cancer (stage IV), the five-year survival rate is generally much lower, often less than 10%.

Prevention and Early Detection

As Grandma says, prevention is always better than cure. Though anyone can get the disease, other risks such as a family history of stomach cancer, H. pylori-infected stomach, smoking, and heavy intake of smoked, salted, or pickled food boost the chances of getting the disease. It may allow for earlier detection and better outcomes if these risk factors are reduced, coupled with regular screenings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, stomach cancer presents with various symptoms, and its curability depends on factors like early detection and treatment. Awareness of the warning signs, seeking prompt medical attention from the Best ayurvedic cancer hospital in India, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can be vital in managing and potentially curing stomach cancer. If you suspect any symptoms or have risk factors, consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.