Causes

The causes of stomach cancer are very diverse and the mechanisms of its development are still largely unknown. The risk of developing gastric cancer increases by a factor of 4-5 if the stomach lining is infected with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Half of all gastric cancer patients have colonization with this bacterium at the same time.

However, the bacterium is widespread and by far not all infected persons develop stomach cancer during their lifetime. In addition, carcinogenic pollutants found in food are often discussed as the cause. For example nitrosamines, which are found in smoked, cured, grilled or strongly fried meat products.

Another pollutant is aflatoxin, which is formed by certain molds in food and which can also cause tumors in the esophagus and liver. Smoking cigarettes and the consumption of high-proof alcohol are also considered a risk factor for the development of stomach cancer. The lack of certain vitamins can be assumed to be a co-determining factor in the risk of cancer.

Vitamins A, C and E are described as important vitamins in this respect. A certain genetic risk is also of importance. People whose first-degree family members (e.g. parents) suffer from stomach cancer have a 3 to 4 times higher risk of developing a stomach tumour.

Blood group A is of particular importance here, as carriers of this blood group tend to have a higher risk of developing a stomach tumour. There are a number of stomach diseases that tend to develop stomach cancer. Atrophic autoimmune astronomy (type A – gastritis) or menetrier syndrome (giant gastric fold gastritis), both chronic gastritis, significantly increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Gastric polyps (growths of the stomach lining), which are initially benign, can degenerate and become malignant over time. This process can be observed in 20% of cases of gastric polyps, so the timely removal of polyps is recommended. The connection between the gastric ulcer (Ulcus ventriculi) and stomach cancerStomach cancer is still unclear.

Although 5-10% of wrongly diagnosed ulcers turn out to be stomach cancer, it is never known in retrospect whether it was a stomach ulcer that was degenerated or whether the tumor merely imitated the appearance of a stomach ulcer. It is a fact, however, that a duodenal ulcer (Ulcus duodeni) almost never degenerates. A partial removal of the stomach is predestined to develop a carcinoma at the junction between the remaining stomach and the raised intestine (anostomosis) even after many years, so that check-ups by gastroscopy must be carried out regularly.

This tumor is then also called an “anostomosis carcinoma”. The cause of stomach cancer is mainly due to risk factors such as smoking or frequent stomach ulcers. Only in a few cases is stomach cancer due to an increased familial risk.

However, it is said that the probability of getting stomach cancer is increased about 2-3 times if a first-degree family member suffers from the disease. This is often not only due to genetic predisposition, but also to family risk factors such as eating habits. However, relatives are not usually advised to undergo additional check-ups such as gastroscopy. However, if several family members have stomach cancer or if the cancer occurred at a young age, genetic counselling or increased check-ups may be considered.