Also known as gastric cancer, stomach cancer develops when a group of cells is accumulated into one large mass in a section of the stomach. Approximately 25,500 new diagnoses of stomach cancer occurs each year, representing about 2 percent of new cancer diagnoses annually. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, taking the lives of over 723,000 people in the United States.
Risk Factors
If your loved one has any of the following risk factors, they have a higher chance of developing stomach cancer.
- Being over the age of 55
- Regularly eating salty foods, salty fish, pickled veggies, and smoked meats
- Eating foods that contain aflatoxin fungus
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Certain medical conditions, like GERD or stomach polyps
- Regularly smoking
- Being a male
- Previously having some form of cancer
- Certain surgical procedures, especially procedures that have taken place in the stomach
- Family history
Symptoms
If you or the elder’s caregiver notices any of the following symptoms, contact their doctor as soon as possible.
- Heartburn
- The feeling of easily becoming full during meals
- Frequently burping
- Chronic indigestion
- Vomiting that may contain blood
- Trapped wind
- Pain in the stomach
- Feeling bloated after meals
- Trouble swallowing
If the stomach cancer becomes more advanced, the following symptoms may arise.
- Blackened or blood-streaked stools
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Buildup of fluid in the stomach, causing the stomach to feel lumpy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Diagnosis
If the doctor suspects that stomach cancer is the cause of your loved one’s symptoms, then they may want to have a specialist perform one of the following diagnostic measures.
- Ultrasound scan: An ultrasound scan is often used if the doctor thinks the cancer is in the top part of the stomach.
- Barium meal X-ray: A barium-containing liquid is swallowed by the patient in order to help identify the stomach during an X-ray.
- Gastroscopic exam: The doctor will look in the elder’s stomach with a fiber optic camera. Tissue samples may be taken if they suspect stomach cancer.
- Laparoscopy: This procedure may be conducted if the doctor wants to find out if the cancer has spread. They will be placed under a general anesthetic, while a laparoscopy is inserted into a small incision in the lower part of the stomach.
- CT Scan or PET Scan: Radiographic pictures may be taken inside the body in order to find out how much the cancer has spread.
Source:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257341.php
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