Stomach cancer is an uncontrolled proliferation of epithelial cells of the stomach lining. In this case, intracellular structural changes occur in the gastric mucosa, which lead to a change in the functions inherent in healthy cells.

Malignant transformation first covers the mucous layer of the walls of the organ, then goes deeper. Metastasis in case of gastric cancer occurs in more than 80% of patients, in this regard, the pathology is characterized by a rather severe course.

What is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is an oncological disease accompanied by the appearance of a malignant tumor formation, which forms on the basis of the epithelium of the gastric mucosa.

Stomach cancer is prone to rapid metastasis to the organs of the digestive tract, often grows into adjacent tissues and organs through the stomach wall (into the pancreas, small intestine), often complicated by necrosis and bleeding. With blood flow, metastasizes mainly to the lungs, liver; through the vessels of the lymphatic system - to the lymph nodes.

The stomach wall consists of five layers:

• inner layer, or lining (mucous membrane). In most cases, stomach cancer begins in this layer;
• submucosa is the support of the tissue of the inner layer;
• muscle layer - the muscles in this layer mix and grind food;
• connective tissue (subserosis) is the tissue support for the outer layer;
• outer layer (serous) - This covers the stomach and supports the abdomen.

In almost 90% of cases when a cancer tumor is detected in the stomach, a bacterium such as Helicobacter Pylori is also detected, which suggests its certain participation in the degeneration of normal cells into atypical ones.

It occurs more often in men than in women. In addition, the risk of encountering this pathology is higher among representatives of the Negroid race and among the poor. With regard to age: the peak incidence of gastric cancer occurs at 65-79 years. However, the disease is often detected in persons 50-55 years old.

Classification

By histological type, cancer in the stomach is divided into the following types:

• Adenocarcinoma. It is detected in almost 95% of cases. The tumor receives its development from the secretory cells of the mucous layer.
• Squamous. A tumor of this type is the result of cancerous degeneration of epithelial cells.
• Signet ring. The tumor begins to form from the goblet cells responsible for the production of mucus.
• Glandular cancer. The reason for the formation of this type of cancer is atypical transformation of ordinary glandular cells.

Differs in growth form:

• Polypoid - resembles a mushroom on a pedicle growing into the lumen of the stomach, the slowest growing form;
• Saucer - has the appearance of a clearly limited ulcer, bordered by a high shaft along the periphery, gives late metastasis;
• Infiltrative-ulcerative - the edges of the ulcerative focus are blurred, cancer cells diffusely spread deep into the stomach wall;
• Infiltrating - the tumor has no visible boundaries.

The latter two are especially malignant.: quickly affect the entire thickness of the gastric wall, actively metastasize at an early stage, scattering metastases throughout the peritoneum.

This is not the end of the classification of stomach cancer according to its forms, a separate part in it is based on which particular department the tumor has developed, the following cancer variants are distinguished:

• Cardiac. This form of cancer develops in the area of \u200b\u200bthe upper part of the stomach organ, specifically - in the place where it "joins" the esophagus.
• The body of the stomach. In this form, cancer affects the middle of the organ.
• Small curvature. Covers the area of \u200b\u200bthe right gastric wall.
• The gatekeeper (pyloric department). In this variant, the cancer develops on the side from which the organ transition to the duodenum is anatomically carried out.

The first signs of manifestation

The earliest signs of stomach cancer are so blurred and inexpressive that treatment, if they appear, begins in extremely rare cases and, as a rule, does not correspond to the disease. After all, most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract have similar manifestations, and it is extremely difficult to diagnose cancer by them.

If the patient is worried about the following points, then you should pay attention to them, since these may be the first signs of stomach cancer:

• deterioration of appetite or its complete loss, which entails a complete aversion to food;
• a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition, which occurs in 2-3 weeks, and is accompanied by weakness, loss of strength and rapid fatigue;
• there is discomfort in the intestines, pain, a feeling of fullness and, in some cases, nausea and vomiting;
• unreasonable weight loss.

The precancerous condition of this disease sometimes lasts 10-20 years. At this time, only in the presence of the first symptoms of the stomach in the early stages, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect cancer. Often, stomach oncology is detected already in the late stages:

• First, a person is sick, which, in the absence of suitable treatment, becomes chronic.
• Then comes the atrophy of the gastric mucosa, the formation of atypical and cancer cells.

People who lead a healthy lifestyle develop cancer more slowly than people who use tobacco, alcohol, overcooked and too hot food.

Causes of occurrence

An oncological disease caused by the formation of a malignant tumor from the cells of the gastric mucosa ranks 4th among cancers. People in Asia often suffer from it. A malignant tumor can develop in any part of the stomach.

In about 90% of cases, the tumor is malignant, and about 95% of these malignant tumors are carcinomas. Carcinoma of the stomach in men is diagnosed mainly between the ages of 50 and 75.

Factors provoking the development of stomach cancer:

• the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the presence of which in the human body, according to statistics, increases the risk of mucosal damage, and as a result, the occurrence of cancer by 2.5 times;
• genetics (there is a more frequent occurrence of the disease in people with blood group A (II), as well as in those who suffer from hereditary pernicious anemia;
• negative ecological situation;
• poor-quality food: the use of harmful foods (spicy, sour, canned, dried, fast food);
• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• past trauma, gastric resection;
• immunodeficiency states;
• harmful working conditions: work with chemical and radioactive substances.

There are so-called precancerous diseases that adversely affect the mucous membrane, provoking the appearance of an unusual epithelium:

• polypous growths;
• B12 - deficiency anemia (vitamin deficiency worsens the formation of gastrointestinal epithelium);
• some subspecies of chronic gastritis (in particular, atrophic gastritis, leading to the death of stomach cells);
• pathology of Menetrie, contributing to abnormal proliferation of the mucous membrane;

It should be noted that the most common cancer occurs in the antrum (lower stomach). One of the reasons is the occurrence of duodenogastric in patients, in which the contents of the duodenum are able to get back into the stomach (retrograde food advance) and lead to gastritis.

Development stages + photos

The development of the disease includes 4 main stages. They show how and how quickly stomach cancer develops:

1. The early stages are manifested by a small formation in the layers of the stomach.
2. Second stage: the tumor grows, deepens, spreads to nearby lymph nodes. Indigestion occurs.
3. The tumor invades the organ wall and spreads to adjacent tissues.
4. Metastasis - cancer cells spread to different parts of the body, disrupting the functioning of systems.

Stage 4 is divided into 3 phases:

• Phase 4A refers to a process that has spread through the visceral peritoneum to adjacent organs and any number of lymph nodes.
• Phase 4B is a tumor of any size that has not invaded other organs, but has metastases in more than 15 LN groups.
• The most difficult and last stage of stomach cancer is 4B, in which metastases spread through the lymph and blood and create secondary tumor foci in different organs. Absolutely any organ can be damaged, regardless of proximity to the stomach: bones, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes (more than 15 pieces), lungs and even the brain.

Symptoms of stomach cancer in adults

The main symptoms and early signs of stomach cancer are not always the same in different patients. Symptoms can vary significantly depending on the location of the tumor and its histological type.

• The location of the tumor in the cardiac part of the stomach (the part adjacent to the esophagus) is primarily indicated by the difficulty in swallowing coarse food or large pieces of it, increased salivation.
• As the tumor grows, the symptoms become more pronounced. After a while, other signs of a tumor develop: vomiting, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, between the shoulder blades or in the region of the heart, soreness.

When swollen into the blood vessels, gastric bleeding may occur. Cancer effects:

• decreased nutrition,
• cancer intoxication leads to the development of general weakness, high fatigue.

The presence of any of the above symptoms is not sufficient to diagnose stomach cancer, and thus other diseases of the stomach and digestive system may appear.

Common symptoms of the cancer process

As mentioned above, there are a number of symptoms that are inherent in almost all cancers. These include:

• drastic weight loss;
• lack of appetite;
• apathy, constant fatigue;
• increased fatigue;
• anemic skin color.

The above symptoms are typical for any cancerous tumor. That is why, for the purpose of early detection of stomach cancer (in the absence of other clinical symptoms), scientists dealing with oncology of the stomach and the entire gastrointestinal tract have proposed using a complex of symptoms, referred to as "small signs syndrome", in the diagnosis process.

Small signs syndrome includes:

• Feeling of constant discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• Bloating () after eating.
• Unreasonable loss of appetite, and then weight.
• Feeling of nausea, and accompanying slight salivation.
• Heartburn. Perhaps one of the symptoms of cancer when the tumor is located in the upper half of the stomach.

As the disease progresses and the tumor grows, new symptoms may appear:

• Stool disorder.
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• Fast saturation.
• An increase in the size of the abdomen.
• Vomiting with blood.

All of the above signs most often indicate stomach cancer. Symptoms, manifestations of the disease are not a sufficient condition for confirming the diagnosis, since they may indicate other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is extremely important to undergo a detailed examination.

When symptoms appear, be sure to show yourself to a specialist... There is no need to do self-diagnostics, because this is fraught with serious consequences for the body.

Diagnostics

When dealing with complaints of gastrointestinal dysfunction, a specialist performs an external examination of the patient with palpation of the abdominal cavity (on the left, right side, back, in a standing position). The tumor detected with this method of examination is painless, it can be dense or soft with uneven, bumpy edges.

Next, the doctor collects the patient's anamnesis (cases of stomach pathologies in the family, dietary habits, the presence or absence of bad habits, chronic diseases), prescribes laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.

Laboratory methods of research include checking blood (general and biochemical tests), urine, coprogram, as well as determining the concentration of tumor markers.

It is only on these blood tests that the diagnosis of stomach cancer is impossible, and the patient is sent to take a blood test for a cancer antigen, that is, for the presence of proteins (tumor markers) in the blood, secreted only by cancer cells.

Instrumental diagnostics:

1. Endoscopy of the stomach: Using a thin flexible tube with an illuminator, the doctor can examine the entire gastrointestinal tract. If a suspicious area is found in it, a biopsy is taken from it in order to make a microscopic examination.
2. Ultrasound: a feature of the technique is that a sound wave is used to determine the diagnosis, ultrasound is carried out together with a specialized probe inserted through the oral cavity. This will allow you to find out how much the neoplasm has spread inside the gastrointestinal tract, surrounding tissues, as well as lymph nodes.
3. Computed tomography (CT) - is aimed mainly at clarifying the ultrasound data regarding the presence of metastases of internal organs located in the abdominal cavity. By displaying the stomach and its tissues from different angles, CT can help oncologists more accurately determine the stage of stomach cancer.
4. MRI - does not use X-rays to obtain an image, but a safe magnetic field. MRI diagnostics gives a clear "picture" of almost all tissues and organs.
5. Diagnostic laparoscopy... This is an operation performed under intravenous anesthesia through punctures in the abdominal wall, where a camera is inserted to examine the abdominal organs. A study is used in unclear cases, as well as to detect tumor invasion into the surrounding tissues, metastases in the liver and in the peritoneum and take a biopsy.
6. X-ray with contrast agent... This is an x-ray of the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the intestine. The patient drinks barium, which outlines the abdomen on x-rays. This helps the doctor, using special imaging equipment, to find possible tumors or other abnormal areas.

Treatment

The tactics of therapeutic measures depend on the stage of development of stomach cancer, the size of the tumor, germination into neighboring areas, the degree of colonization of lymph nodes by malignant cells, metastatic lesions of other organs, the general condition of the body, concomitant diseases of organs and systems.

The success of gastric cancer treatment directly depends on the size and extent of the tumor to adjacent organs and tissues, as well as on metastasis. Very often, diagnostic laparoscopy is performed before the operation to exclude metastases in the peritoneum.

Operation

The main method of treatment is surgical, which consists in removing the tumor along with the stomach (gastrectomy) or part of it. If radical surgery is not possible, preoperative radiation or chemotherapy can be performed to reduce the size and growth of the tumor.

Surgical treatment of stomach cancer involves a preliminary examination - the patient undergoes laparoscopic diagnostics to identify possible metastases in the abdominal cavity and on the omentum for preliminary planning of the amount of surgical intervention.

Depending on the degree of tumor affection of the body, two types of surgical intervention are used - endoscopic resection or intracavitary surgery. In the first case, the intervention is minimal.

Chemotherapy

The best results with a lasting beneficial effect can be obtained by complementing the surgery with chemotherapy. This therapy is the introduction of chemicals into the body to suppress tumor cells remaining after surgery - invisible local areas of the tumor and foci of secondary lesions in the form of distant metastases. The duration of the chemotherapy course is determined depending on the dynamics of the development of events.

How many live with cancer at different stages: prognosis

Doctors can give a positive prognosis if they manage to diagnose the development of cancer cells in the stomach at the initial stage of the disease. In this case, the treatment result will be effective in 90% of cases. When metastases spread to neighboring organs, the chance of recovery is reduced, but it is still there and primarily depends on the number of common metastases.

In conclusion, it should be noted that today stomach cancer is being diagnosed more and more often. Symptoms and manifestations of this disease should be the reason for consultation with a specialist. The sooner the doctor confirms the pathology and prescribes appropriate treatment, the higher the chances of a favorable prognosis.

Be sure to undergo an examination by a gastroenterologist several times a year, get tested on time and start treatment if you have gastrointestinal diseases. Monitor your body and be healthy!

Nowadays, every person experiences fear upon hearing the word "oncology". Especially when it comes to stomach tumor damage. Stomach cancer is a severe disease that steadily progresses in the absence of treatment, leading to the development of severe complications and death.

According to WHO, stomach cancer ranks third after lung and skin oncology, and second in the structure of causes of death after lung cancer (9.7% for the entire planet and 13.5% for Russia). The incidence rises sharply in men over 60 years old and in women over 50 years old, and stomach cancer is equally common in men and women.

The reasons

A combination of factors leads to the occurrence of oncological diseases. When DNA mutations occur in the body, the damaged cells are removed by immune cells (natural killer cells, or NK cells). If the antitumor immunity cannot cope with the removal of defective cells, they become susceptible to uncontrolled division.

An initial tumor node is formed, destroying the affected organ from the inside, which then grows into nearby tissues and spreads throughout the body in the form of metastases to distant organs. The same thing happens with stomach cancer. These processes at the cellular level take a long period of time, so the asymptomatic stage of the disease can last for years.

Provoking environmental factors:

• radiation (ionizing radiation) - affects the cell nucleus with the DNA it contains, causing cell mutations
• smoking, alcohol abuse - irritate the gastric mucosa
• medicines - pain relievers, corticosteroid hormones, antibiotics, etc.
• products - refined white flour, sugar, refined oil, excesses in spicy, fried, fatty foods, food additives, fertilizer residues in greenhouse vegetables and fruits, etc. - cause damage to the gastric wall with a decrease in its protective properties.
• associated diseases, that is, provoked by Helicobacter Pylori bacteria living on the inner wall of the stomach, they are of several types, some provoke chronic gastritis. can lead to stomach ulcers, which, in turn, is fraught with malignancy.
• unfavorable environmental conditionssmoke pollution of cities with exhaust gases, industrial waste, an abundance of harmful chemicals in everyday life (cosmetics, low-quality furniture, household appliances, toys made of toxic materials) - reduce general immunity, contribute to the accumulation of carcinogenic substances in the body.

Internal factors:

• genetic predisposition - Scientists have proven that most of the diseases are hereditary and predisposition to oncological diseases too
• predisposing diseases - benign stomach formations (polyps, adenomas), which are able to transform into malignant ones, as well as vitamin B12 deficiency, participating in cell multiplication and responsible for the "correct" division of the cell nucleus without mutations
• age - after 50-60 years, the risk of developing cancer increases tenfold
• metabolic disorders - hormonal, immune, as well as disorders in the metabolism of vitamins.

Symptoms and manifestations of stomach cancer

The clinical symptoms of stomach cancer depend on the stage of the process.

Stage: carcinoma in situ, "cancer in situ" - there are no clinical manifestations, and the diagnosis in most cases is an accidental finding during mucosal biopsy for other diseases.

Stage 1gastric cancer: characterized by the localization of the tumor in the mucous membrane without invading the muscular layer of the stomach wall, as well as possible damage to 1 - 2 lymph nodes located along the organ (T1 N0 M0 or T1 N1 M0). Already on this, early symptoms of stomach cancer appear, which include:

• unmotivated general weakness
• fast fatiguability
• lack of appetite
• anemia (decrease in hemoglobin, see)
• pronounced weight loss
• aversion to animal protein in food (meat or fish foods, as well as to any one type of meat)
• possible prolonged slight increase in temperature (see)
• depressive emotional background

Stage 2: the tumor can either remain within the mucous membrane, but at the same time more lymph nodes are affected - 3 - 6, or grow into the muscle layer with damage to 1 - 2 lymph nodes (T1 N2 M0 or T2 N1 M0). The first symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract appear:

• heartburn (see)
• feeling of discomfort in the stomach
• nausea ()
• vomiting with short-term relief
• belching air
• progressive weight loss
• increased gas production in the intestine ()
• defecation disorders

These complaints are not permanent, and therefore patients do not attach due importance to their occurrence and hesitate to contact a doctor.

Stage 3: characteristic is the growth of the tumor not only into the muscle layer, but also through the outer shell of the stomach with damage to nearby tissues and organs, as well as the presence of cancer in seven or more lymph nodes. No metastases (T2 -4 N1-3 M0).

• the above complaints become pronounced,
• pain in the epigastric region intensifies and becomes constant,
• the patient practically cannot take food, as it does not pass into the stomach,
• with cancer of the cardiac, "initial" part of the stomach, dysphagic phenomena occur - frequent choking, regurgitation, the need to drink solid food with water or take only liquid food,
• with cancer of the pyloric, "outgoing" part of the stomach, food is not absorbed and stagnates in the stomach for several days, there is a feeling of rapid satiety, constant overcrowding in the epigastrium, vomiting of stagnant contents, belching with the smell of rotten eggs.

Stage 4 means complete germination of the stomach wall, destruction of neighboring organs, damage to a large number of lymph nodes (more than 15), metastasis to distant organs and lymph nodes - to the ovary in women, to the lymph nodes of the perrectal (around the rectum) fatty tissue, to the lymph node located in the fossa above the left clavicle.

• symptoms become permanent
• the patient is emaciated, unable to eat on his own, only through a tube
• experiences excruciating persistent pain that is relieved by taking narcotic analgesics with a short-term effect
• the body is poisoned from the inside by the products of metabolism and decay of the tumor, does not receive the required amount of nutrients from the outside, tumor cells capture nutrients from the patient's blood, dystrophic changes occur in all organs and tissues of the body, and the person dies.

It is at stages 3 and 4 of stomach cancer - late stages - that 80% of patients go to the doctor when the diagnosis is no longer in doubt, which significantly complicates the prognosis of the disease.

How to identify stomach cancer?

In recent years, scientists and doctors around the world have been concerned about the problem of early diagnosis of this disease. For example, studies are underway in the field of electrical impedance spectroscopy and photofluoroscopic screening, which may increase the percentage of patients with early cancer detection.

When a patient with suspected gastric cancer consults a doctor, the following tests may be prescribed:

Stomach cancer treatment

Scientists around the world have come together to find an effective cure for cancer. And there are some achievements, for example, in foreign cancer centers, the so-called targeted therapy is used - this is the treatment of a cancer patient with drugs that “target” cancer cells. These drugs include:

• immunoglobulins - act like antibodies, recognizing foreign cells that are antigens, blocking them and "transferring" them to destroy the immune cells of the body itself
• enzyme inhibitors - penetrate into the cancer cell, disrupting its functions and leading to its death. The following drugs are used: alemtuzmab, panitumumab, bortezonib, etc.

In Russia, these methods are still at the level of study and research, and malignant neoplasms of the stomach are treated with the following methods and their combination:

Surgical treatment

The operation is a radical way to treat cancer, since during the process part of the stomach or the entire organ is excised (gastric resection, subtotal or total gastrectomy). Nearby lymph nodes and / or organs also affected by the process are excised.

If a patient is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, when metastases affect other organs, and excision of the tumor and removal of the stomach are not possible due to the pronounced spread of the tumor, a gastrostomy is applied - an opening between the stomach and the anterior abdominal wall so that food enters the stomach at least thus.

Chemotherapy

This is a method in which chemotherapy drugs are injected into the patient's body, which have a detrimental effect not only on tumor cells, but also on healthy cells (therefore, this method has many severe side effects - hair loss, constant nausea, vomiting, weight loss, hemorrhagic cystitis and many others). The drugs include antitumor antibiotics, cytostatics and cytotoxins (5 - fluorouracil, topotecan, lomustine, epirubicin, methotrexate and many others). Chemotherapy is carried out in courses, which are repeated on the 30th day, and then every eight weeks. Chemotherapy is given both before and after stomach surgery.

Radiation therapy

This is the irradiation of the projection of the affected organ with small doses of X-rays. With oncology of the stomach, targeted irradiation is used during the operation.

Symptomatic therapy

Pain relievers, vitamins, drugs are prescribed that eliminate nausea, vomiting, flatulence, normalize the intestinal microflora, strengthen immunity, etc.

Lifestyle for patients with gastric cancer

A patient undergoing tumor treatment should adhere to the following recommendations:

• organize a regimen - rest more, ensure adequate sleep, develop an acceptable mode of work and rest,
• follow a diet - for the first three to six days (depending on the volume of surgery), it is forbidden to eat food, you can only drink water. In the future, it is allowed to take liquid, pureed food with a gradual expansion of the diet. Food is taken fractionally and often - 6 - 8 times a day in small portions. The following products are allowed: cereals, soups, lean meats and fish, fruits (not causing pronounced fermentation in the intestines), vegetables, dairy products, bread. Whole milk and sweets (chocolate, candy) are limited. Alcohol, smoking, coffee, spicy, fried, fatty, salty foods and other products that irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are excluded.
• limit intense physical activity, especially after surgery,
• walk more and more in the fresh air,
• try to get more positive emotions,
• to undergo spa treatment, but with the exception of physiotherapy procedures,
• regularly visit the attending physician with the necessary medical and diagnostic measures.

Complications of stomach cancer

Bleeding from a tumor:

• symptoms: sudden weakness, nausea, black tarry stools, vomiting of "coffee" grounds or contents with an admixture of red blood
• diagnostics: FGEDS
• treatment: endoscopic (cauterization of a bleeding vessel when it is detected) or surgical with laparotomic access (dissection of the abdominal wall).

Cicatricial stenosis of the pyloric - the pyloric section of the stomach in the place of its transition to the duodenum. It is characterized by complete or partial obstruction of food from the stomach.

• symptoms: weakness, constant nausea, fast satiety, a feeling of fullness in the epigastrium, belching with a rotten smell, repeated vomiting of stagnant contents, bringing relief
• diagnostics: gastric fluoroscopy with ingestion of barium suspension and FEGDS
• treatment: surgical

Disease prognosis

How long do people with such a diagnosis live? To answer this question, it is necessary to remember that a timely visit to a doctor is the key to success in the treatment of gastric oncology. The prognosis in this situation is determined by a five-year survival rate. Survival rates differ significantly depending on the stage of stomach cancer diagnosed.

• The first stage is the most favorable prognosis: 80 out of a hundred people survive, and 70% of patients achieve full recovery.
• The second stage - the prognosis is less favorable, since only 56% of patients survive in the first five years after diagnosis.
• The third stage is an unfavorable prognosis, since 38 out of a hundred people survive, the rest die from the further spread of cancer and / or its complications.
• Fourth stage the survival rate is significantly reduced and is achieved in only 5% of cases of gastric cancer.

In conclusion, I would like to note that at the present stage of the development of medicine, the diagnosis of "malignant neoplasm" in general, and "stomach cancer" in particular, is not a sentence. The capabilities of domestic and foreign oncology allow for early diagnosis, mass screening (in Russia, this is an annual examination using FEGDS) and adequate antitumor treatment, which will not only lead to an improvement in the quality of life of a cancer patient, but can also significantly prolong it.

It is important for the patient to remember that self-diagnosis and self-medication is fraught with a threat to life and health, since only a doctor in the process of an internal examination will make the right decision regarding the presence or absence of a tumor lesion in the stomach.

Cancer of the stomach is a type of oncology common all over the world. Although recently doctors have noted a noticeable decrease in the incidence of gastric cancer, not a single person is immune from this disease. That is why you should know the first symptoms of stomach cancer, factors provoking the development of the disease and the most effective methods of treatment.

What is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is an uncontrolled proliferation of epithelial cells of the stomach lining. In this case, intracellular structural changes occur in the gastric mucosa, which lead to a change in the functions inherent in healthy cells.

The pathological process can develop in any part of the stomach, but it rarely affects a large curvature.

Under the influence (often long in time) of provoking factors, precancerous conditions arise: gastritis, polyps, etc. It is against their background that a cancerous tumor is formed, although up to 20 years can pass between precancer and true oncology.

Initially, a tumor formation or ulceration is formed, not exceeding 2 cm in diameter. However, cancer rapidly grows not only along the periphery, but also deep into the gastric wall.

Some facts about stomach cancer:

• An absolutely healthy, normally functioning stomach excludes the development of oncology.
• Stomach cancer in women is diagnosed 2 times less often than in men. People with blood group II are most susceptible to the disease.
• The risk of developing stomach cancer increases with age. This is due to the aging process and numerous cell mutations in old age.
• Recent studies have shown that as many as 6 genetic mutations are required for cancer to develop.
• The high incidence of this pathology is observed among the Japanese.
• In America, the percentage of people with stomach cancer has dropped sharply in recent years.
• Vegetarians suffer from gastric oncology more often than meat eaters.
• Stomach cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors: metastases are diagnosed in 80% of patients, and the disease is second only in mortality.
• Often, signs of stomach cancer are disguised as a refractory peptic ulcer or a benign polyp. Only instrumental diagnostics can reveal the malignant nature of changes in the mucosa.

Causes and risk factors for stomach cancer

World medicine has been struggling for decades to find the cause of any type of oncology, stomach cancer inclusive. However, no doctor will be able to indicate the only cause of the disease. Most often, in a person with a diagnosed oncopathology, several points are noted at once that can, to one degree or another, activate a mutation of the gastric epithelium.

The most dangerous provoking factors:

- Infection with Helicobacter pylori and other pathogenic microorganisms

This bacterium provokes the development of gastric ulcer, and the risk of malignancy when infected with Helicobateria increases 2.5 times. Inactivation of a pathogenic microorganism has an effect only in the absence of metaplastic changes in the mucous membrane (for example, atrophic gastritis).

However, it is not only so dangerous in terms of cancerous degeneration. Oncology can be provoked by colonization of the stomach with Candida fungus, staphylococci / streptococci.

- Gastric pathology - precancerous diseases

Atrophic gastritis is especially dangerous. Accompanied by low acidity and structural changes in the epithelium, atrophic type of gastritis increases the risk of malignancy (cancerous degeneration) 3 times.

Carcinogenic gastritis with low acidity (long-term current leads to mucosal atrophy), peptic ulcer, stomach polyps.

- Heredity

Genetic predisposition to gastric diseases and inherited gene mutations are important factors to regularly monitor the health of the stomach and be regularly examined. Oncology of the stomach in blood relatives increases the likelihood of developing oncopathology by an average of 20%.

- Improper diet and vegetarianism

According to the dietary habits of most modern people, you can write instructions on How not to live. Excessive consumption of unnatural food (smoked meats and marinades, chemical additives and nitrites in products), a massive shortage of fruits and vegetables in the diet, snacks in fast food cafes, an excessive love of fried - all this dramatically increases the risk of cancer.

Why do vegetarians get stomach cancer often? The answer is simple - inadequate intake of animal protein is also a risk factor.

- Vitamin deficiency

At first glance, a not particularly dangerous lack of vitamins C and B12 in combination with other factors can also provoke the development of gastric carcinoma.

- Bad habits

Everyone knows that alcohol is aggressive towards the digestive tract, but many believe that smoking only causes cancerous degeneration in the lungs. On the contrary, the more cigarettes smoked per day, the more harmful the effect on the gastric mucosa and the higher the likelihood of its malignant transformation.

- Serious diseases not directly related to the stomach

These include pernicious anemia (the risk will increase 20 times!), AIDS and other immunodeficiency conditions (the antitumor effect is inhibited), infection with the Epstein-Barr viral agent.

Stages of stomach cancer, development of metastases

Gastric cancer differs in the form of growth of the oncological focus:

• Polypoid - resembles a mushroom on a pedicle growing into the lumen of the stomach, the slowest growing form;
• Saucer - has the appearance of a clearly limited ulcer, bordered by a high shaft along the periphery, gives late metastasis;
• Infiltrative-ulcerative - the edges of the ulcerative focus are blurred, cancer cells diffusely spread deep into the stomach wall;
• Infiltrating - the tumor has no visible boundaries.

The last two types are especially malignant: they quickly affect the entire thickness of the gastric wall, actively metastasize at an early stage, scattering metastases throughout the peritoneum.

Depending on the prevalence of cancer cells and the size of the primary tumor, the stages of gastric cancer are distinguished:

1. I Art. (non-invasive early stage gastric cancer) - the diameter of the tumor is up to 2 cm, the primary lesion of the mucosa, the absence of metastases.
2. II Art. (invasive cancer) - the size of the neoplasm reaches 4-5 cm, cancer cells germinate muscle, sub-serous layers, regional metastases are found.
3. III Art. - a significant increase in the size of the cancer focus with germination of the serous (outer) membrane of the stomach, up to 15 affected lymph nodes, distant metastasis is absent.
4. IV Art. - severe complications (germination into neighboring organs - lungs, diaphragm, liver, intestines) and the obligatory presence of distant metastatic foci.

The first symptoms of stomach cancer, signs

The first symptoms of stomach cancer that appear at the initial stage do not differ in specificity, the patient may "sin" on the usual gastritis.

Sometimes unexpressed soreness, loss of appetite, flatulence and dyspepsia are all healed by advertised gastric drugs and left without the necessary attention. With all the desire to discover the "secret" symptom, clearly indicating the development of cancer, it is impossible.

The development of the oncological process gives a more pronounced clinical picture. A cancer patient has all the signs of the syndrome of "small signs":

• aversion to meat;
• anemia and weakness, often fever;
• causeless weight loss;
• severe discomfort in the epigastrium.

Typically, these signs of stomach cancer indicate cancer that has already spread. The higher the stage of oncology, the more pronounced its symptoms become.

Characteristics manifestations of some types of stomach oncology:

• Endophytic (growing in the stomach cavity) - fast satiety, feeling of heaviness and fullness of the stomach even after taking a small portion of food;
• Cancer of the cardiac part - all signs of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing food, painful swallowing, throwing food into the larynx, nose, trachea);
• Cancer of the pyloric part (exit from the stomach) - difficult movement of food into the duodenum, belching rotten, vomiting (at the last stage, even after taking liquid).

The first signs of gastric cancer with metastases are quite pronounced, it provokes constipation and diarrhea, increasing girdle pain, ascites and bleeding (vomiting with red blood).

Which doctors should I contact?

At the appearance of even the slightest signs of a violation of the digestive function (epigastric pain, nausea, etc.), it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist. If a malignant tumor is suspected, the doctor refers the patient to an oncologist.

Diagnosis of stomach cancer

Early diagnosis of stomach cancer is the most important factor that increases the success of the prognosis of a serious illness. That is why the Japanese have introduced a rule to have a home gastroscope. In our country, the primary task is to consult a gastroenterologist on time when the slightest signs of stomach disease appear.

Assigned studies:

• Esophagogastroscopy - allows you to simultaneously biopsy the pathological focus (ulceration, polyp), is not very informative in diffuse-infiltrative cancer;
• Ultrasound of the abdomen - detects seals in the wall of the stomach, reveals metastatic foci in the intestine;
• X-ray with contrast - reveals endophytic tumors, but does not determine the nature of growth;
• Blood test (general, biochemical) - identified abnormalities help to suspect a serious abnormality in the body;
• Testing for tumor markers - indicates oncology;
• CT - highly informative techniques that allow you to accurately determine the boundaries of the oncological process and identify distant metastases;
• Laparoscopy is a traumatic procedure that reveals the smallest subcapsular metastases that are not detectable on ultrasound and tomography.

The main therapeutic tactics for stomach cancer are radical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy and other therapeutic methods. The earlier treatment is started, the less traumatic schemes will be used, the less harm to the body will be caused. The nuances of treatment vary depending on the stage of the oncological process and the patient's condition.

Surgery

It is performed in 80% of cases, with the exception of inoperable patients with a large number of distant metastases. The following types of tumor removal are practiced:

1. Minimally invasive technologies - cryodestruction, radiofrequency ablation, thermocoagulation - are advisable only at the initial stage of cancer, they are used extremely rarely due to late diagnosis.
2. Partial resection of the gastric walls is also carried out exclusively in the early stages, taking into account that stomach cancer rapidly metastasizes.
3. Gastrectomy is a total removal of the stomach and suturing of the esophagus to the duodenum with resection of sentinel lymph nodes, performed by open and laparoscopic access. The most accurate operation using robotic technology (Da Vinci operating robot).
4. Large-scale removal of focal foci - together with the stomach, the spleen, part of the intestine, and extremely rarely the liver, affected by metastases, are often excised (partial resection of the segment).
5. Radiosurgery is a non-surgical technique of a high-dose targeted exposure to an oncological focus with an effect comparable to surgical intervention. It assumes the presence of a modern Cyber-Knife installation in the clinic.

Chemotherapy and radiation

The use of cytostatic treatment protocols (chemotherapy) is advisable to stop / prevent metastasis. Often used as an adjuvant (preoperative) measure. Radiation therapy is rarely used, only in inoperable patients.

Latest methods

Modern medicine has just begun to use virus therapy in the treatment of oncology. The essence of the method is the introduction of specially grown viral modifications that feed on cancer cells.

Methods of immunotherapy using drugs that activate the body's defenses are also actively used. However, these methods are only an adjunct to the main treatment and are quite expensive.

How long do people with stomach cancer live?

In Russia and the CIS countries, the 6-month survival rate for early detection of a malignant stomach tumor is 65%. Patients with gastric cancer with metastases, even with its complex treatment, live in a 5-year perspective from 15% and below. When treated in countries with more developed medicine, these figures are significantly higher.

5-year survival rates - how long do patients with stomach cancer live:

• Stage 1 (no symptoms) - up to 80%,
• Stage 2 - about 56%,
• Stage 3 - 15%,
• Stage 4 - about 2%.

Prevention of stomach cancer lies in a rational, healthy diet, rejection of bad habits (especially large doses of alcohol) and timely competent treatment of gastric diseases. Regular clinical examination of all patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology and with negative heredity.

Stomach cancer is a very serious disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. This pathology is diagnosed several times more often in men, moreover, after the age of 50. In this article, we will talk about how stomach cancer develops (symptoms and manifestations of the disease in the early stages), as well as what treatment methods modern medicine offers.

General information

Stomach cancer is a disease of an oncological nature, which is characterized by the development of a malignant neoplasm from the epithelium of the mucous membrane. A tumor can form in any part of this organ. The risk of getting sick significantly increases in both men and women after 50 years. As for the issue of the geographical distribution of this pathology, in Russia this disease is in second place in terms of the frequency of diagnosis among all neoplasms of a malignant nature. So, for 100 thousand healthy people there are approximately 36 patients. The situation is worse only in Japan, Scandinavia and Brazil.

According to experts, over the past 30 years, circumstances have changed dramatically. Doctors note a gradual decline in cancer incidence. For example, in America, this pathology is diagnosed relatively rarely (only five cases per 100 thousand population).

Today, scientists have proven that cancer cannot arise in an absolutely healthy stomach. The disease is always preceded by the so-called precancerous stage, when there is a change in the nature of the cells lining this organ from the inside. On average, this condition lasts from 10 to approximately 20 years.

Early symptoms of stomach cancer can be confused with gastritis or ulcers. A small tumor forms initially. Over time, it can increase in size, grow in depth and in breadth. At this stage, the disease manifests itself in the form of a violation of normal digestion. As a result, a person begins to lose weight for no reason. Growing through the walls of the stomach, the neoplasm can move to other organs (colon, pancreas).

The disease is characterized by the early appearance of metastases (separation of cancer cells from the tumor and their further spread throughout the body). They most often affect the lymph nodes and liver. Also, the lungs, bones, peritoneal space, ovaries can be involved in the pathological process. The work of all affected organs is gradually changing, which entails a lethal outcome.

Main reasons

Currently, the exact reasons provoking the development of the disease are not fully understood. Experts only single out a set of factors, the action of which together leads to the formation of cancer.

• Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. Scientists have long proven that this bacterium is able not only to survive perfectly in an acidic environment, but also to cause peptic ulcer and gastritis. As medical practice shows, sometimes these pathologies degenerate into cancer. Helicobacter Pylori gradually deforms the mucous membrane of the organ, hydrochloric acid begins to affect the unprotected walls of the stomach, causing numerous erosions. This kind of ulceration is considered an excellent environment for the life of cancer cells.
• Unhealthy food. The presence in the diet of fried, fatty, spicy and salty foods several times increases the likelihood of developing a malignant neoplasm.
• The presence of nitrates and nitrites in the body. It is assumed that these substances are highly reactive. They can disrupt the usual integrity of the cells of the gastric mucosa and penetrate into their structure. Vegetables are usually the source of nitrates and nitrites in our country. In addition, salts of nitrous and nitric acid are found in large quantities in smoked meats, some cheeses, tobacco, and beer.
• Bad habits. In addition to the fact that nitrates and nitrites are also present in high doses in alcoholic beverages, ethyl alcohol itself can act as a provocateur of malignant neoplasms. Scientists have shown that the longer a person smokes, the higher the likelihood that symptoms of stomach and intestinal cancer will be detected at a young age.
• Long-term medication intake. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids - all of these medications have a number of side effects, including the development of stomach ulcers. As you know, it can develop into a real tumor.
• Exposure to radiation.

The risk group also includes people with overweight, hereditary predisposition and other oncological ailments.

What diseases can precede stomach cancer?

1. Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin plays a direct role in the formation of many cells in the body.
2. Polyps of the stomach.
3. Some subspecies of chronic gastritis (atrophic form, Menetrie's disease, etc.).
4. Stomach ulcer. According to experts, in 12% of cases, this pathology develops into stomach cancer.

Symptoms and manifestations of the disease

This ailment at the initial stages of development, as a rule, does not have specific signs. The patient may feel constant fatigue, complain of rapid fatigue and unnecessary weight loss. After eating, the patient may experience heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, bloating, or even indigestion. Such symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages (photos of patients can be viewed in the medical literature) should be the reason for seeking medical advice.

As the disease progresses and the tumor grows, new symptoms may appear:

• Stool disorder.
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• Fast saturation.
• An increase in the size of the abdomen.
• Iron-deficiency anemia.
• Vomiting with blood.

All of the above signs most often indicate stomach cancer. Symptoms, manifestations of the disease are not a sufficient condition for confirming the diagnosis, since they may indicate other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is extremely important to undergo a detailed examination.

Classification of the disease

Based on which cells underlie the neoplasm, the following types of stomach cancer are distinguished:

• Adenocarcinoma. This is the most common form of the disease. Tumor formation occurs on the basis of those cells that are directly responsible for the production of mucus.
• Leiomyosarcoma. The neoplasm consists mainly of the muscle cells of the organ.
• Lymphoma. The tumor is based on lymphatic cells.
• Solid stomach cancer. A photo of this pathology can only be viewed in specialized literature, since it is extremely rare.
• Cricoid cell carcinoma. Examination of such a neoplasm under a microscope reveals the similarity of the forms with the ring, which was the reason for its name. This form of the disease is characterized by a rapid increase in pathological cells and early metastasis.

Disease stages

Today, experts conditionally distinguish several stages of the development of pathology, thanks to which it is possible to classify stomach cancer. Symptoms and manifestation of the disease at the initial stages of development may be absent, which significantly complicates its diagnosis.

The term "five-year survival" is widely used to predict the treatment of oncology. If after therapy the patient lives for 5 years, he can be considered healthy. Such a patient has every chance that he will never face this type of cancer again.

The overall survival rate for this disease, according to statistics, is 20% among all patients. This relatively low percentage is due to the late diagnosis of the disease. However, each specific case is still individual, whether it is the initial stage of the development of the disease or stomach cancer of the 4th degree with metastases. How long people with such a diagnosis live depends primarily on the timeliness of treatment and compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.

• Zero stage. At this stage, only the gastric mucosa is involved in the pathological process. Treatment is carried out through endoscopic surgery. In 90% of cases, patients recover completely.
• First stage. The tumor penetrates deeper into the mucous membrane, metastases are formed in the lymph nodes around the stomach. With timely treatment, the probability of recovery is 60 to 80%.
• Second stage. The neoplasm does not affect only muscle tissue. The five-year survival rate for diagnosis of the disease is 56%.
• Stage Three. Pathological cells penetrate the walls of the organ, the lymph nodes are completely affected. With a diagnosis of stomach cancer, stage 3, life expectancy is low (15 out of a hundred people can live five years or more).
• Stage four. A cancerous tumor penetrates deeply not only into the organ itself, but also metastases to other parts of the body (pancreas, liver, ovaries, lungs). In this form, the disease is diagnosed in 80% of patients. However, only five out of a hundred people are likely to live five years or more.

Experts warn: even a complete cure for oncology does not have a positive prognosis in every case. The thing is that such a disease has a tendency to relapse, which can only occasionally be eliminated by repeated surgical intervention. The late detection of the disease in our country is very simple to explain. Firstly, many doctors do not have enough knowledge in this field of medicine to confirm the disease in time. Secondly, patients seek help very late, for example, when they are diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. How long do such patients live? Of course, neglect of one's own health leads to worse prognosis.

Diagnostics

Treatment can only be successful if the specialist can confirm stomach cancer in the early stages. The manifestations of the first signs of the disease should alert and become a reason for seeking advice from a gastroenterologist.

Today, gastroscopy (EGDS) is considered the main method for studying pathology. During this procedure, the doctor assesses the general condition of the mucous membrane, makes a biopsy of its suspicious areas. The histological examination of the obtained material allows to determine the nature of the neoplasm (malignant / benign). Sometimes it is additionally assigned:

Treatment

Can Stomach Cancer Be Fought? The manifestations of a malignant tumor, the presence of metastases, the size of the neoplasm, the degree of its invasion into neighboring areas - all these factors primarily determine the tactics of therapeutic measures. Modern medicine offers three treatment options for this kind of pathology: removal of the tumor through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The specific treatment tactics are chosen by the doctor after a complete examination of the patient.

In the case of early diagnosis of a tumor (zero or first stage), when metastases are absent, complete excision of the cancer is possible. During the operation, the doctor removes a section of the stomach wall, nearby tissues, and lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy is recommended to stop the growth of abnormal cells and reduce the size of the tumor itself. Chemotherapy has to be resorted to when diagnosed with grade 4 stomach cancer with metastases. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say exactly how long the patients live after the course of treatment. Very often, doctors prescribe radiation and chemotherapy together to enhance the positive effect.

Diet

Of course, with such a diagnosis, it is recommended to pay special attention not only to the therapy itself, but also to the daily diet. Experts advise avoiding foods that contain nitrates. The thing is that these substances are able to transform into nitrites and form nitrosamines. The latter, in turn, often act as the main cause of the development of stomach cancer. The formation of nitrosamines can be prevented by regular consumption of foods with antioxidants, vitamins C and E. In addition, the daily diet of a patient with such a diagnosis should include foods with a low glycemic index. These foods are slow to digest and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

This article has already listed the main methods of how to diagnose stomach cancer in the early stages. After the doctor has confirmed the presence of the disease and prescribed appropriate treatment, the question arises of how to eat. The patient's diet should be as balanced as possible and rich in vitamins. It is recommended to eat fruits and vegetables (preferably raw), chicken and lean fish (protein source).

We'll have to give up everything fatty and fried, sweets and pastries, red meat is banned. In consultation with your doctor, salt can be excluded from the diet. The thing is that its consumption in large quantities contributes to the formation of ulcers on the walls of the already weakened stomach due to treatment.

Forecast and prevention

Stomach cancer (photos of patients with such a disease are presented in this article) is most often diagnosed at the stage of an already incurable tumor. Only in 40% of cases, doctors identify a neoplasm, in which there is a probability of a successful prognosis of cure. Here we are talking about the disease in the early stages and without metastases. The rapid course of pathology is most often found in the diagnosis of "gastric cancer, stage 3". The life expectancy of such patients and their general condition practically do not differ from those in the case of a fourth stage disease. In both situations, the prognosis for patients is extremely poor.

Surgical treatment, coupled with various methods of anticancer therapy, gives a five-year survival rate in 12% of patients. If the symptoms of stomach cancer in the early stages were noticed by the patients themselves, and they immediately sought help from a doctor, the survival rate increases to 70%.

As for the issue of prevention, experts today strongly recommend timely treatment of all ailments, leading a healthy lifestyle and eating right. In addition, it is very important to exclude bad habits, to pay special attention to taking medications.

In conclusion, it should be noted that today stomach cancer is being diagnosed more and more often. Symptoms and manifestations of this disease should be the reason for consultation with a specialist. The sooner the doctor confirms the pathology and prescribes appropriate treatment, the higher the chances of a favorable prognosis. Lost time or inattention to one's own body often costs a person's life.

If there are general signs of stomach cancer, the first symptoms, urgent medical advice is needed. This is a common oncological pathology that requires a comprehensive diagnosis. Stomach cancer is a painful disease that in most cases ends in death.

Medical indications

Symptoms of stomach and intestinal cancers occur in men but can sometimes develop in women. This disease is rare in children. There are various forms of manifestation of the disease. It depends on the location of the tumor and its histological composition. There are 3 main factors that determine the first signs of stomach cancer:

1. An oncological tumor is localized in the lower part of the stomach (in the antrum) - with this position of the tumor, the most pronounced symptoms are nausea and vomiting, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, a nasty and rotten smell from the mouth and from vomit.
2. If an oncological tumor is located in the part of the stomach that grows together with the esophagus (cardiac part), the patient has problems with the passage of rough food through the gastrointestinal tract. Hypersalivation may develop. As the tumor grows in size, the intensity of the symptoms increases. To them are added pain in stomach cancer, nausea and vomiting, a feeling of heaviness at the chest level, in the region of the heart or between the shoulder blades.
3. The tumor affects the middle part of the stomach ("body"). In the early stages, specific symptoms are not observed. There are common symptoms of cancer: no appetite, weight loss, general weakness, anemia.

If the initial symptoms of a tumor appear, the doctor conducts additional examinations.

Symptoms of the disease

In addition to specific symptoms of gastric cancer, general symptoms may appear that indicate the presence of a tumor:

• rapid fatigue and reduced performance;
• a sharp decrease in weight;
• general lethargy and sadness;
• constant weakness;
• apathy;
• the presence of anemia.

Local characteristics include:

• lack of gustatory pleasure during and after meals;
• a sharp decrease in appetite or its complete absence;
• refusal to use some products;
• a constant feeling of nausea and the appearance of the urge to vomit;
• unexplained temperature rise.

Specialists distinguish specific symptoms into a separate group:

1. Morning vomiting of food that the patient ate yesterday. This happens when there is a tumor in the antrum. Food stagnates but is not digested.
2. The presence of black matter in vomit and loose stools is explained by internal bleeding in the stomach.
3. It is difficult for food to pass through the gastrointestinal tract - this indicates a tumor in the initial section of the stomach.

If a patient has a stomach ulcer, it is necessary to carefully monitor his condition, noting the slightest changes in the course of the disease. If new symptoms appear, see your doctor. Changes in taste, loss of appetite, or pain while eating are the primary signs of stomach cancer.

Forms and stages of the disease

The oncological process of the gastric tract takes place in 3 forms:

1. Latent - no symptoms. Detection of a tumor occurs during palpation of the abdomen or with an X-ray of the abdominal cavity, FGS.
2. Painless - with this form, all the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer are present, but there is no pain.
3. Painful form - painful sensations in the upper region of the stomach are especially pronounced. The pain radiates to the lumbar region. Its occurrence is associated with food intake. In some cases, the soreness lasts all day, intensifying with movement. There are no pain patterns in the symptoms of stomach cancer. The pain does not diminish after eating and does not appear on an empty stomach. Sometimes patients begin to treat sciatica or neuralgia. This is due to the fact that metastases grow into the pancreas, affecting it.

Stomach cancer occurs in 4 stages. At each stage of the cancer process, its specific signs appear. The early stage is characterized by the fact that a malignant formation with a diameter of up to 2 cm appears on the surface of the gastric mucosa. The tumor is localized in the stomach or in the lymph nodes.

Then the formation passes into the 2nd stage of development, penetrating into the deeper layers of the wall, spreading to a distance of 5-6 lymph nodes. This leads to disturbances in the process of food digestion. When a tumor is located in the part of the stomach located near the duodenum, food does not enter the intestines. If the neoplasm is near the esophagus, after its growth, food does not enter the stomach.

At stage 3, the tumor can spread to neighboring organs, affecting even more lymph nodes. The next and most difficult stage is metastasis. During this stage, cancer cells are rejected from their place of origin, spreading throughout the body. Metastases affect other organs, provoking their pathology. Against the background of these processes, the work of vital organs is disrupted.

Manifestations depending on the stage of development of pathology

At the initial stage of the disease, the following symptoms are present:

• the strongest general weakness;
• the presence of gas in the intestines;
• lack of appetite;
• feeling unwell;
• nausea with false urge to vomit or vomit;
• insufficiency of blood due to internal hemorrhage;
• pale skin;
• feeling of a full stomach.

The above clinic may be accompanied by symptoms of concomitant pathologies. In this case, specific signs of gastrointestinal cancer appear in the later stages. Additional laboratory tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis.

There are symptoms that clearly indicate the presence of a malignant tumor in the stomach area:

1. The appearance of discomfort in the chest area - it can be painful sensations, a feeling of heaviness and squeezing, discomfort.
2. Pathological disorder of food digestion - the manifestations of this disorder are frequent belching, prolonged heartburn, a feeling of heaviness, the presence of gas in the intestines, and bloating. Patients do not pay enough attention to the manifestation of these symptoms. They learn about the disease only after additional examination (if another disease is suspected).
3. Swallowing problems - Difficulty swallowing when a large lump of food enters the tract. Against the background of the growth of the neoplasm, food does not pass through the esophagus into the stomach.
4. Nausea occurs after eating and is long lasting.
5. Feelings of nausea leading to vomiting - These symptoms can occur after eating. If the cancer is at an advanced stage, bloody vomiting is additionally observed. The patient shows signs of anemia.
6. Bleeding is manifested by the presence of blood not only in vomiting, but also in feces. This complication is noticeable visually (tar-black color of feces).
7. Painful sensations that are localized not only in the chest area, but also between the shoulder blades, in the heart and lower back.

With the manifestation of the above symptoms, urgent medical attention is required.

Diagnostic methods

More often, patients go to the doctor with complaints of stomach discomfort. This phenomenon is dyspepsia. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor conducts an examination, determining whether there is a malignant formation. Dyspepsia has its own characteristic symptoms:

• poor appetite;
• aversion to food that contains a lot of proteins (meat products, fish);
• the presence of nausea and vomiting;
• eating food does not cause pleasure;
• feeling of "full stomach".

With the complex manifestation of the above symptoms, an urgent consultation of specialists is required. If the cancer is in the first or second stage, you can independently recognize the cancer.

In the subsequent stages, endoscopy, histological examination and biopsy are prescribed. A common diagnostic method is contrast fluoroscopy, which is performed by filling the stomach with a contrast agent and determining its shape. This allows you to determine the elasticity of the walls and the presence of formations on the walls of the stomach.

At the same time, an ultrasound of the abdominal organs is prescribed. This allows the detection of metastases and affected lymph nodes. If the disease is detected early, the chance of a five-year life expectancy with cancer is 90%.

This terrible diagnosis - always unexpected - causes panic in the patient and loved ones. Symptoms of stomach cancer noticed in time make it possible to perform surgery in the early stages, which will increase the favorable prognosis. Many people are inattentive to their health. Remember the signs of the disease in order to go to the doctor on time.

Symptoms and manifestations of stomach cancer

Cancers in the stomach are malignant neoplasms that, in most cases, affect men over the age of 50. The disease in women is less common. A precancerous condition can last for many years - there is a slow change in cells. Early symptoms are similar to ulcers or gastritis. With further development, the patient's condition worsens. Metastases of gastric cancer rapidly develop, which can affect:

• intestines;
• lymph nodes;
• pancreas;
• bones;
• ovaries;
• lungs.

The causes of cancer of the stomach can be a genetic predisposition, heredity. Cancer is preceded by anemia, polyps, chronic gastritis. In addition, the disease depends on reasons such as:

• unhealthy diet;
• bad habits;
• wrong lifestyle;
• decreased immunity;
• helicobacter Pylori bacteria;
• psychological problems.

The first symptoms in the early stages

In oncology, at the remote stages of the development of the disease, they talk about the syndrome of small signs. At first, symptoms indistinguishable from ulcers and gastritis are observed. You should be examined if you have:

• fast fatiguability;
• sharp weight loss;
• increased salivation;
• aversion to food;
• lack of appetite;
• belching, heartburn;
• saturation in small portions.

With further development, it is possible to recognize such signs of stomach cancer as a change in appearance - an increase in the size of the abdomen with a general weight loss of the body. Blood appears in feces and vomit. Stomach cancer pains become unbearable. In addition, there are signs:

• discomfort in the upper abdomen;
• iron-deficiency anemia;
• pain radiating to the heart, under the scapula;
• feeling of fullness in the stomach.

Symptoms detected at stage 0, when the mucous membrane is damaged, are treated with endoscopic surgery. Chemotherapy is not required, medication is used, folk remedies for stomach cancer. The recovery rate is high. At the first stage of the disease, metastases to the lymph nodes begin. In this case, in addition to surgery, chemotherapy is prescribed. Up to 80% of patients recover.

2 stages

In the second stage, the signs of stomach cancer are complemented by the appearance of pain that needs to be anesthetized with special drugs. Fever, aversion to food is characteristic. Seizure of lymph nodes by metastases develops. Pain appears when swallowing food. Surgical intervention, chemotherapy is required. The operation is excluded if there are vessels nearby. They are treated with radiation therapy, hormones, chemotherapy. The percentage of a favorable outcome is less - about 50%.

3 degrees

Patients go to the doctor more often only at this stage of cancer. The survival rate is significantly reduced, because in addition to the lesion of the stomach itself, metastases have invaded all the lymph nodes. The tumor increases significantly in size. Surgery and subsequent treatment with chemicals do not always lead to positive results. When surgery is ruled out, supportive therapy is prescribed.

Stage 4

The last stage of the development of the disease is characterized by the rapid growth of metastases to adjacent organs. There are very severe pains that are not relieved by medication. There is an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, due to which it becomes immense in size. At this stage of development of stomach cancer, about 5% of patients survive. This is what the tumor looks like in the photo.

How to identify stomach cancer

The sooner the patient consults a doctor, the higher the likelihood of recovery. Cancer is diagnosed in various ways:

• questioning the patient, identifying hereditary predispositions;
• gastroscopic examination - a visual examination is performed using a special probe, if necessary, a tissue biopsy is done;
• histological studies - examining tissue samples to confirm the diagnosis;
• x-ray examinations with a contrast agent help to see the change in the shape of the stomach.

To clarify the diagnosis and the extent of the spread of metastases, diagnostics are carried out using:

• Ultrasound - reveals signs of metastases in the abdominal cavity;
• computed and magnetic resonance imaging - give a clearer picture of the development of the tumor process;
• a blood test using tumor markers - confirms the diagnosis;
• diagnostic laparoscopy - metastases in organs are detected;
• stool test - confirms the presence of blood, which is a sign of cancer.

Correct diagnosis determines the location of the tumor. There is a cardiac variety when the neoplasm is in the upper part of the stomach. The tumor of the antrum is located below. There are different types of stomach cancer:

• adenogenic;
• diffuse;
• polypous;
• endophytic;
• cricoid;
• squamous.

Poorly differentiated

This form of cancer is considered the most dangerous. The cells have increased activity and the ability to grow. This is due to the fact that they change to the simplest form, in which they only feed and reproduce. The signs of cancer are similar to other forms, only in this case there is an instant transition from one stage of the disease to another.

Low-grade cancers are poorly diagnosed at an early stage. Due to its rapid spread, the tumor cannot be removed. The appearance of internal bleeding is characteristic when the neoplasm disintegrates. Signs of the disease appear:

• girdle pain if metastases in the pancreas;
• yellowing of the skin, sclera with liver damage;
• constipation, bloating if the small intestine is disturbed;
• pain, similar to heart, with metastases in the diaphragm.

Cricoid

If you examine the cells of this malignant neoplasm under a microscope, you can see that they look like a ring. Hence the name - cricoid or cricoid cancer of the stomach. It is characterized by penetration into all layers of the organ. Metastases spread very quickly, affecting the liver, pancreas, and intestines. In the early stages, the disease is asymptomatic. For late degrees of the disease, symptoms are characteristic:

• aching pains;
• alternation of constipation and diarrhea;
• the appearance of blood in the feces and with vomiting;
• weakness;
• aversion to food;
• high temperature.

Antrum cancer

This is the lowest part of the stomach, where food is no longer digested, but is ground to small particles. In this part, cancer develops very often. A tumor of an infiltrative type - has no devil borders. Development takes place in the tissues of the stomach, manifests itself in neighboring organs - the intestines, liver. In this case, the cells may not be connected with each other, they may be far from each other. A sign of stomach cancer, in addition to the main symptoms of the disease, is a thickening of the walls, impaired peristalsis.

Squamous cell carcinoma

In this case, the tumor consists of flat epithelial cells, which are embedded between the glandular cells. They cover the mucous membrane, envelop the walls. The disease is difficult to detect at an early stage. Part of the stomach is removed or completely, along with the adjacent affected areas. Signs of stomach cancer in this case are manifested in the late stages. These include:

• poor appetite;
• aversion to meat;
• fast saturation;
• weight loss;
• severe weakness.

Benign stomach tumor

The peculiarity of these neoplasms is that they grow slowly and do not pose a danger to life. The tumor in the stomach in the initial stages is asymptomatic and is detected by endoscopy. There are complications in the form of stomach cancer. As it grows, signs of the disease appear:

• the appearance of a pulling pain after eating;
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• vomiting blood;
• burning sensation behind the breastbone;
• high fatigue;
• alternation of diarrhea and constipation;
• dizziness with latent bleeding.

Benign neoplasms are removed surgically, followed by drug treatment. Life prognosis is favorable. There are forms of benign stomach tumors, depending on the tissues from which it grows:

• polyposis - glandular epithelium;
• leiomyoma - submucosal tissue;
• angioma - vessels;
• neuroma - nerve tissue;
• fibroma - connective.

Find out also what a polyposis of the stomach is.

Video

Stomach cancer is a common cancer that affects men more often than women. As it develops, a malignant tumor can spread to the liver, lungs, esophagus and other organs. If the treatment of stomach cancer is started in the early stages of its development, then there is a chance to completely get rid of this disease and save the patient's life. What are the features, the first signs and symptoms of this cancer?

Features of the manifestation of stomach cancer

An oncological disease caused by the formation of a malignant tumor from the cells of the gastric mucosa ranks 4th among cancers. People in Asia often suffer from it. A malignant tumor can develop in any part of the stomach. In the early stages, cancer of the digestive system is very problematic to diagnose, because there is no pronounced picture of the disease. This cancer is classified by histological cell type, tumor growth, and clinical stage.

Types of stomach cancer:

• Squamous, arising from the degeneration of epithelial cells.
• Cricoid cell, formed from goblet cells.
• Glandular, which is the result of the degeneration of glandular cells.
• Undifferentiated, arising from immature cells.
• Adenocarcinoma, formed from the secretory cells of the mucous membrane. This type of oncology is diagnosed in 90% of cases.

With a diffuse type of cancer growth, there is no connection between tumor cells, which grows through the entire thickness of the wall and does not go out into the stomach cavity. This behavior is characteristic of an undifferentiated type of cancer. In the intestinal type of growth, the cells have a connection with each other. Malignant formation in this case slowly grows inside the stomach. This is how glandular cancer, adenocarcinoma behave. According to its clinical manifestation, this oncological disease is divided into 5 stages (0-4).

What are the first symptoms and signs of stomach cancer

The first symptoms of stomach cancer are difficult to determine, so they are often mistaken for an ulcer or gastritis. Only an experienced doctor will be able to distinguish a malignant formation in this organ of the digestive system in the early stages of development. Treating stomach cancer at an early stage gives a high probability of getting rid of this disease. If there is a suspicion of oncology, then in order to accurately diagnose cancer, the patient may be prescribed an examination.

Cancer diagnostics is carried out using fibrogastroduodenoscopy, MRI, ultrasound, blood test for tumor markers of the gastrointestinal tract. What are the signs of stomach cancer? Doctor L.I. Savitsky believed that the early stage of the disease can be determined by the special state of the body. He introduced a new term "small signs syndrome in stomach cancer".

Its presence in the body is characterized by constant weakness, fatigue, depression, weight loss, poor appetite, and stomach discomfort. An experienced doctor, when detecting small signs of cancer, will be able to prescribe an effective treatment. At the initial stages of the disease, the first symptoms of cancer are vague and often depend on its localization in the stomach. Below we will consider the main first signs of this oncological disease.

Indigestion

Disturbed appetite is a common symptom of stomach cancer that affects older and middle-aged people. Along with this symptom, patients may experience nausea, heaviness in the epigastric region. Such patients note that for the first time they noticed discomfort in the stomach after a heavy meal. Subsequently, they ceased to enjoy food, so their appetite decreased. Often, patients in the early stages of tumor development complain of severity, heartburn, belching, flatulence.

Discomfort in the chest

In the early stages of cancer, unpleasant, painful sensations appear in the chest area. These include: a feeling of fullness, pressure, heaviness, burning sensation, light temporary convulsive phenomena. These symptoms occur after eating a heavy, plentiful, or difficult to digest food. With the development of stomach cancer, chest discomfort increases and worries the patient even with moderate consumption of dietary meals. Patients at the initial stage of the development of this cancer often complain to the doctor about chest pain radiating to the heart or shoulder blades.

Difficulty swallowing

If the malignant formation is localized in the upper part of the stomach, then this sometimes causes problems when swallowing food. This symptom cannot be ignored. In the early stages of cancer growth, the patient experiences only slight discomfort when eating food in the form of large, coarse pieces. However, as the tumor grows and grows in size, it becomes difficult to swallow soft, liquid food.

Nausea and vomiting

At the initial stage, stomach cancer often manifests itself in the form of discomfort after eating. Many patients have noticed that after eating, nausea appears, which does not go away for a long time after dinner. Another of the first symptoms of this cancer is vomiting that starts after eating or at other times of the day. In some patients, it appears periodically, in others - once. If the vomit contains scarlet or brown blood, an urgent medical consultation is necessary.

Cancer manifests itself at an early stage by the presence of occult blood in the stool. This phenomenon indicates the presence of gastric bleeding. Moreover, in case of stomach cancer, blood tests in the feces will constantly confirm its presence in the feces. If, with repeated such studies, the result is always positive, then this is a serious symptom confirming the development of a malignant tumor in the stomach.

If bleeding in the stomach is regular, then they are accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, pallor of the skin. Not all early cancers have blood in their stool. After the examination, the doctor will help determine the cause of the blood in the feces or vomit. Bleeding can be caused not only by malignant tumors in the stomach, but also by duodenal ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases.

Dramatic weight loss and change in well-being

Constant fatigue and sudden weight loss are the first symptoms of stomach cancer. It has been noticed that this sign of cancer more often occurs in those who have suffered from gastritis for a long time with secretory insufficiency. For other people, thinness occurs because they stop eating enough food due to loss of appetite and discomfort after eating.

How quickly stomach cancer develops

The precancerous condition of this disease sometimes lasts 10-20 years. At this time, only if the first symptoms of the disease are present, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect cancer. Often, stomach oncology is detected already at a later stage. First, a person suffers from gastritis, which, in the absence of suitable treatment, becomes chronic. Then comes the atrophy of the gastric mucosa, the formation of atypical and cancer cells. People who lead a healthy lifestyle develop cancer more slowly than people who use tobacco, alcohol, overcooked and too hot food.

How long do people with stomach cancer live?

There is a concept of "five-year survival". This term means that if after the treatment of cancer the patient has lived 5 years, then he recovered and will never again suffer from this disease. Statistics show that upon detection and medical care at the 1st stage of the disease, the prognosis of survival is 80% of patients, at the 2nd - 56%, at the 3rd - 38%, at the 4th - 5%. These data show that it is possible to defeat the disease if you contact at its first manifestations and follow the doctor's recommendations.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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The first symptoms of stomach cancer