Gastric cancer, or gastric carcinoma in medical terms, is a malignant tumor disease in the stomach. In this case, there are often severe changes in the cells (cell mutation), and especially the growth of the stomach cells is greatly accelerated. The most common causes are smoking, gastritis, alcohol and high-fat and salty food.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric carcinoma, is a malignant cancer of the stomach. Stomach cancer is a rather rare cancer in Germany; only about 10 out of 100,000 people develop stomach cancer each year. Mainly persons who have exceeded the age of 50 develop this type of cancer. Stomach cancer is rare in people under 30 years of age. Until the 1940s, stomach cancer was the most common cancer in Europe – this has thankfully changed due to improved eating habits. In stomach cancer, the cells in the stomach divide too quickly and malignant neoplasms, usually in the form of a tumor, develop.
Causes
The main causes of stomach cancer are generally considered to be an unhealthy diet as well as excessive consumption of alcohol. In particular, a diet high in salt can trigger stomach cancer. The diet should instead include fresh fruit and vegetables. Grilled and smoked foods should also only be eaten in moderation. Smokers are also significantly more likely to be affected by stomach cancer; according to estimates, they develop stomach cancer about three times as often as non-smokers. The carcinogenic substances contained in cigarettes enter the stomach directly through the saliva. Whether stomach cancer is hereditary has not yet been clearly proven. However, the risk of developing stomach cancer is significantly higher if a family member has already been affected by stomach cancer.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Stomach cancer often has no signs or only nonspecific signs at first. Complaints such as nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss may have different causes and do not yet indicate stomach cancer. A stomach carcinoma manifests itself by the fact that the complaints persist over a longer period of time and increase in intensity in the course. In most cases, gastric carcinoma develops unnoticed. The symptoms initially appear harmless, but increase in intensity and lead to a gradual deterioration of well-being. Possible symptoms include difficulty swallowing, bad breath, heartburn and belching. Nausea and vomiting are often added, as well as flatulence. A low-grade fever may persist for several days or weeks and become more severe as the tumor grows. Loss of appetite is also typical, often resulting in weight problems and deficiency symptoms. Some sufferers experience a sudden aversion or intolerance to meat, fruit, coffee or alcohol. Physical and mental performance decreases as the disease progresses. If the tumor increases in size, gastrointestinal symptoms may occur. If the carcinoma blocks or narrows the stomach outlet, a feeling of fullness may occur, often associated with nausea, vomiting and heartburn. In addition, gastric bleeding may occur, manifested by darkening of the stool. Vomiting of blood may also occur.
Course of the disease
Gastric carcinoma, or stomach cancer, can manifest itself in several ways. Often, food intolerance can already indicate this disease, and loss of appetite should also be observed in this context. Also a sudden weight loss can indicate this disease. A usually clear sign of stomach cancer is blood in the stool. This is then almost black, shiny and foul-smelling and is also called tarry stools. Vomiting of dark blood is also not uncommon. If these symptoms occur, it is best to see a doctor immediately. The symptoms of stomach cancer are very similar to those of a stomach ulcer or the so-called irritable bowel syndrome. However, a doctor will quickly determine what the disease is. Not every sign of blood in the stool must, of course, indicate stomach cancer. However, the doctor will quickly determine this with the help of the so-called hemoccult test.
Complications
Stomach cancer is usually a very serious disease. In most cases, this leads to the death of the patient if it is not diagnosed and treated early. For this reason, the further course of the disease also depends heavily on the time of diagnosis.Those affected suffer first and foremost from bloody bowel movements. For many people, this can lead to a panic attack or to sweating. Likewise, there is nausea and vomiting. Those affected also suffer from a feeling of fullness and lose their appetite. There is also a severe loss of weight and thus various deficiency symptoms, which have a very negative impact on the health and quality of life of the affected person. As a rule, there is also bloody vomiting. The tumor is removed surgically. Complications do not usually occur. The earlier the stomach cancer is diagnosed, the higher are also the chances of a complete cure of the patient. However, in some cases, stomach cancer can also cause the death of the patient if metastases have formed.
When should you go to the doctor?
If symptoms such as stomach pain, cramps or malaise occur over several days, a doctor should be consulted. If there is a steady increase in the existing discomfort, a medical examination is needed to clarify the cause and initiate treatment. If there is a feeling of pressure in the area of the stomach, swelling or changes in the appearance of the skin, the affected person needs help. Loss of appetite, an unwanted weight loss and listlessness are signs of an existing irregularity. A visit to the doctor is necessary so that a diagnosis can be made as quickly as possible. In the case of stomach cancer, early treatment is important to ensure the survival of the affected person. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted at the first signs. In addition, regular check-ups are advisable in adulthood, during which the general state of health is clarified in routine tests. If there is a decrease in the usual performance, increased fatigue, sleep disturbances or irritability, a visit to the doctor is advisable. In case of diffuse anxiety, mental abnormalities or withdrawal from social activities, consultation with a physician is necessary. Heartburn, the formation of bad breath, flatulence, and difficulty swallowing are other signs of a health condition that must be investigated. If vomiting, nausea or fever occurs, a doctor should be consulted. If blood is vomited, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on how far the stomach cancer has already spread, comprehensive treatment is given. This therefore depends on how far the tumor has already progressed, whether metastases have already formed or the lymph nodes are affected. In principle, the earlier stomach cancer is detected, the better the chances of recovery. A gastroscopy with tissue sampling, known as a biopsy, for example, can detect stomach cancer at an early stage. During this procedure, a thin tube is inserted into the stomach via the esophagus. Of course, swallowing the tube is anything but pleasant; for this reason, many patients have a local anesthetic administered. In many cases, treatment consists of removing the malignant tumor by surgery. Depending on the extent to which the tumor has spread, it may be necessary to remove parts of the stomach, spleen or even esophagus. Subsequent radiation therapy or chemotherapy will then further help fight the stomach cancer. A diet specifically designed by a physician is recommended for all stomach cancer patients.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for stomach cancer is tied to the time of diagnosis. The later the health changes are discussed with a physician, the worse the subsequent course. The tissue changes may continue to spread in the organism in an untreated state. Existing complaints increase and further dysfunctions set in. If stomach cancer is detected and treated at an early stage of the disease, the prospects of recovery are significantly improved. Cancer therapy is necessary, but it is associated with severe side effects. Due to the therapy, there is an immense loss of physical performance as well as a state of mental stress. The risk of developing a secondary disease is significantly increased. If the course of the disease is extremely unfavorable, cancer cells continue to spread in the organism and metastases develop. This development results in a life-threatening condition and the probability of premature death increases.Under optimal conditions, stomach cancer is detected and treated at an early stage. Here, there is the prospect of a cure for the disease. Although the therapy leads to health impairments over several months or years, freedom from symptoms is ultimately possible here. However, it must be taken into account that, despite an achieved recovery, gastric cancer can recur at any time in the course of life.
Aftercare
After the actual cancer treatment, those affected require ongoing medical care for a long time afterwards. In addition to regular medical examinations and the use of further therapies, a change in lifestyle is also part of aftercare. Those affected must now rebuild their quality of life. The support of the responsible physicians as well as acquaintances and friends is also important in coming to terms with the disease. The general practitioner can consult cancer counseling centers, psychooncologists and socio-legal contacts. Attending a self-help group is also an important part of aftercare. Depending on the type of cancer, it may be useful to consult a nutritionist, sports groups and other instances. The aftercare plan is drawn up together with the doctor and is based on the symptoms, the type of cancer, the general course of the disease and the prognosis. In the first phase, when patients are still coping with the consequences of the disease and treatment, aftercare is particularly important. It is crucial to support patients until remission is achieved. The risk of relapse decreases each year. The rule of thumb is five years, although here, too, the stage of the disease is crucial. Medical rehabilitation also includes the use of anti-hormones and other medications, if necessary. In cases of protracted disease, progress monitoring and follow-up care merge.
What you can do yourself
To cope with the psychological stress that can accompany such a disease, it is important for the patient to receive psychological support. Participation in a support group can also greatly improve the patient’s well-being. When it comes to finding such a self-help group or individual psychological care, the health insurance company can help the patient. Self-help groups can also be found easily and quickly on the Internet. When stomach cancer occurs, it is essential that the affected patient pays attention to his or her diet. A diet plan tailored to the individual patient can be created with the help of a professional nutritionist. This consultation is often reimbursed by the health insurance. Essentially, fatty and acidic foods should be avoided, as they are difficult to digest. In addition, the patient should avoid drinking carbonated beverages. To protect the stomach, it is best to eat several smaller portions a day. It is important for the patient to take it easy physically during and after the treatment of stomach cancer and to take regular bed rests. Surgical treatment of stomach cancer is often followed by chemotherapy. During this treatment, a specific diet plan and physical rest are also of considerable importance.
