Gastric Cancer Treatment

On the list of the most common Cancers affecting people across the globe, Gastric Cancer is the 4th most common cancer affecting men and the 7th most common in the case of women. Around 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year. In India, Gastric Cancer is listed among the top 5 cancers, with the highest number of cases seen in the age group of 60 to 80 years. Gastric cancers usually affect adults and are very uncommon in small children. 

What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric Cancer, also known as stomach Cancer, is a term used to define cancer that originates from the cells lining the stomach. There are several different types of Gastric Cancers, with Adenocarcinomas being the most common. These account for nearly 95 percent of the cases. Type III ECL-cell carcinoids are the most aggressive ones and are more common in males, as compared to females.

What are the symptoms of Gastric Cancer?
Common symptoms that may point towards the possibility of one having Gastric Cancer include:

• Problems with digestion
• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Unexplained loss of Appetite
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain 
• Acidity and Heartburn 
• Weightloss 

When should you see a Specialist?
It is advisable to see a specialist as soon as you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms. All these just point towards the possibility of you having Gastric Cancer but are not definitive. In order to confirm whether a patient has Gastric Cancer or not, doctors perform some physical examinations and tests. The sooner you consult a specialist, your Prognosis would be quicker and you would have a better chance to overcome it.

What causes Gastric Cancer? 
There are several different factors that may be held accountable for the DNA mutations that lead to the uncontrollable multiplication of malignant cells in the stomach. Some of the common risk factors that can trigger such DNA mutations include the following :

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Obesity 
• High salt intake  
• Increased consumption of smoked food
• Unhealthy eating habits 
• Low intake of fruits and vegetables 
• Family history of gastric cancer 
• Personal history of cancer
• Pre-existing medical conditions like Chronic Gastritis and Polyps 
• Excessive smoking 

Modalities used for the Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer 

• Physical examination
• Blood Analysis 
• Abdominal ultrasound 
• Computerized Tomography or CT scan 
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI 
• Tissue biopsy 
• PET scan 

Treatment options available for Gastric Cancer

• Surgery (procedures like partial Gasterectomy, total Gastrectomy, and endoscopic resection)
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Thermal ablation 
• Cryoablation 
• Targeted drug therapy 
• Immunotherapy