WHAT IS STOMACH CANCER

Stomach cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that feed on the stomach. The stomach is a muscular sac that is located in the upper part of the abdomen, just like the ribs. Your stomach receives and retains the food it ingests and helps to digest.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect the same part of the stomach. In the majority of the world, stomach cancers occur in the main part of the stomach.

SYMPTOMS

• Feeling heavy after eating less amount of food 

• Acidity

• Indigestion

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness

• Vomits

CAUSES

Cancer of the stomach occurs when a cell in the stomach develops changes in its DNA. The DNA of a cell contains the instructions that indicate which cell it is. Then, they change to a cell that grows quickly and continues to divide. The accumulated cells form a tumor that can invade and destroy healthy tissue. At the same time, the cells are free to spread (metastasis) to other areas of the skin.

STAGES

Step 0: Also called in situ carcinoma. The cancer is found on the surface of the epithelium or there is high grade dysplasia (very abnormal looking cells) in the stomach lining. There are three stages Tis, N0, M0.

Stage IA: The cancerous cells are found on the inside of the wall of the stomach wall. No lymphatic ganglia are not spread to other organs (T1, N0, M0).

Stage IB: If there is a high grade of abnormal looking cells in the stomach lining T1, If the cancer is spread to lymph nodes N1 or if to distant cells M0.

Or

 The cancer may grow into an outer muscularis propria , the lymph nodes are spread  or to other organs (T2, N0, M0).

Stage IIA: Stomach cancer is called Stage IIA for the following conditions:

If the cancer is caused in the middle layer of the stomach wall, the lymph nodes are spread between 3 and 6 lymph nodes, not spread to other places (T1, N2, M0)respectively.

If the cancer is caused by the appearance of the outer muscular caps of the wall of the stomach, the lymph nodes are divided into 1 or 2 lymph nodes, they are not spread elsewhere (T2, N1, M0) respectively.

In case the cancer is spread through all the layers of the muscle and connects to the stomach, not spread to the lymph nodes,  not distributed to  the surrounding organs (T3, N0, M0) respectively.

Stage IIB: Stomach cancer is referred to as Stage IIB for the following conditions:

If the cancer is caused by outer layer and spreads to the inside      layers of the stomach wall, it is spread between 7 to 15 lymph nodes and , not spread to other places. (T1, N3a, M0) respectively.

If the cancer is caused in muscularis propria,  the lymph nodes are divided into 3 to 6 lymph nodes, and it does not spread to other organs (T2, N2, M0)respectively .

If the cancer is spread through the subserosa  layer of the stomach, and the cancer is created through the peritoneal lining of the serosa., it is spread to 1 or 2 lymph nodes, and does not go to      other places (T3, N1, M0) respectively.

If the cancer is spread through all the muscles of the muscle and connects to the stomach, the lymphatic ganglion is not distributed to the surrounding organs, it is not spread to lymph nodes and r not spread to other places(T4a, N0, M0) respectively.

Stage IIIA: Stomach cancer is called Stage IIIA to qualify for the following conditions:

If the cancer is caused by the appearance of the outer muscular caps of the wall of the stomach, the lymph nodes are spread between 7 and 15 lymph nodes but not spread in the other organs (T2, N3a, M0) respectively.

If the cancer is spread through Subserosa of the stomach and the cancer is created through the peritoneal lining of the serosa, 3 to 6 lymph nodes are disseminated, but not spread to other organs (T3, N2, M0)respectively.

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall into the serosa, but it has not grown into any of the nearby organs or structures, spread to 1 to 2 nearby lymph nodes but not spread to distant parts  (T4a, N1, M0)respectively.

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall and into nearby organs or structures, not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant parts of the body (T4b, N0, M0) respectively.

Stage IIIB: Stomach cancer is referred to as Stage IIIB for the following conditions:

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall and into nearby organs or structures, not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant parts of the body (T4b, N0, M0) respectively.

If the main tumor is growing into the muscularis propria layer, the cancer has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes and has not spread to distant parts of the body(T2,N3b, M0) respectively.

If the main tumor is growing into the subserosa layer AND the cancer has spread to 7 to 15 nearby lymph nodes, but has not spread to distant parts of the body(T3,N3a,M0) respectively.

The main tumor has grown through the stomach wall and into nearby organs or structures ,has spread to 1 to 2 nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to distant parts of the body(T4b, N1,M0) respectively.

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Stage IIIC: Stomach cancer is called Stage IIIC for the following conditions:

If the main tumor is growing into the subserosa layer, has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to distant parts of the body (T3,N3b,M0) respectively.

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall into the serosa, but it has not grown into any of the nearby organs or structures, has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes  but has not spread to distant parts of the body  (T4a,N3b,M0) respectively.

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall and into nearby organs or structures, has spread to 7 to 15 nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to distant parts of the body (T4b,N3a,M0) respectively.

If the main tumor has grown through the stomach wall and into nearby organs or structures, has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes  but has not spread to distant parts of the body(T4b,N3b, M0) respectively.

Stage IV: Stomach cancer in Stage IV describes cancer that is spread to distant parts of the stomach in addition to the surrounding area of ​​the stomach 

Here, if the cancer could or could not have grown into any of the layers of the stomach wall (Any T), and it could or could not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N).

If the cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, brain, or the peritoneum (the lining of the space around the digestive organs) (M1).

 RISK FACTOR

• The closure by gastroesophageal reflux

• Obesity

• A diet is rich in salted and fried foods.

• A diet of steel in fruits and vegetables.

• Family background of stomach cancer

• Helicobacter pylori infection

• Prolonged inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)

• To smoke

• Stomach polyps

PREVENTION

• Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, you may want to talk to your doctor about the strategies that will help you lose weight. Plan a slow and constant weight loss.

• Choose a rich diet of fruits and vegetables. Try to incorporate bad fruits and vegetables into your diet every day. 

• Reduce the quantity of salted, smoked and preserved foods you consume. Protect your stomach by limiting junk food.

• Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of stomach cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. Quitting smoking can be very difficult, take the help of your doctor.

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk.

• Watch for stomach Ulcers. If you've got stomach ulcers, your doctor may need to check to see if you have an H. pylori infection and treat it.

• People with a family history of stomach cancer may consider the possibility of performing tests, such as endoscopy, to look for signs of stomach cancer.

IS THE STOMACH IS CURABLE?

Many cases of stomach cancer cannot be completely cured, but it is possible to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life through chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiotherapy and surgery. If operated on, the surgery can cure stomach cancer whenever it is possible to remove all cancerous tissue. 

DOES ANYONE SURVIVE STOMACH CANCER

The survival rate indicates the percentage of people living at least 5 years of age who are diagnosed with cancer. Percentage means quantities of every 100. The 5-year survival rate for people with stomach cancer is 32%.

WHAT FOOD SHOULD YOU NOT EAT 

• salted, smoked and preserved foods

• Avoid pickles

IS  BANANA  GOOD FOR STOMACH CANCER PATIENT

For those recovering from cancer, bananas can be a beneficiary dietary addition. They're a good source of many important nutrients, including vitamin B6, manganese, and vitamin C besides being easy to tolerate for those with swallowing difficulties.