Causes and symptoms of stomach cancer-by a GI malignancy doctor

Stomach cancer:

When healthy and normal cells of the stomach lining get replaced by fast-growing cancer cells, stomach cancer occurs. Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer. Towards the beginning, there is hardly any symptom that can help recognize the disease. In most cases, people think of the early symptoms to be some mere issues related to the digestive system. But, early detection and treatment ensure high chances of getting cured, says Dr. Arghya Basu, an expert on GI malignancy surgeries based in Kolkata.

Types:

There are many types of stomach cancer. Those are as follows:

Adenocarcinoma- It is the most common form of stomach cancer that takes place in the innermost lining of your stomach.

Lymphoma- This type of cancer attacks your immune system. It first involves your stomach, and with time it affects your bone marrow, lymph nodes, and other parts of your body.

Gastrointestinal stroma tumor- This is a soft tissue sarcoma that grows in the connective tissue of your stomach, says the best GI malignancy surgery doctor in Kolkata.

Causes:

Stomach cancer does not have a single cause, and at times it takes place without a definite cause. People who already suffer from stomach infections have a high risk of getting affected by stomach cancer. Yes, incorporating a few changes in the lifestyle lowers the risk.

Medical causes may include-

• Stomach infection
• Tumors in the gastrointestinal tract
• Abnormal tissue that grows in your stomach lining may cause stomach cancer. it is known as stomach polyp
• GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux may also cause stomach cancer

Other causes may include-

• Smoking
• Eating processed food
• Being physically inactive
• Abusing alcohol
• Substance abuse
• Obesity
• History of stomach surgery
• Family history of having stomach cancer

Symptoms:

There are many symptoms of stomach cancer. Some of those may mimic other diseases such as indigestion, heartburn, vomiting, and also nausea.

The symptoms may include-

• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vomiting with blood
• Change in appetite
• Unexplained and unintended weight loss
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Heartburn
• Anaemia (low haemoglobin level)
• Discomfort in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling full even after having a small amount of food
• Vague – discomfort in the above portion of the navel