Stomach Cancer: Overview and Stages Explained
Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, and it is the seventh most common cancer in women. In 2020, it caused 769000 deaths worldwide, according to the WHO. In terms of new cases in 2020, it is 1.09 million.
However, with the advanced stomach cancer treatment in India, the survival rates of its patients are also increasing. Though the detection of stomach cancer itself is a matter of concern, with the right treatment and the right doctor at the right time, you can beat it.
Let’s understand from the experience of Mr. Amir Hussien, from Tallinn, Estonia.
Mr. Amir is a 43-year-old gentleman who leads the sales team in a reputed company that sells technology solutions to businesses. Mr. Amir has two children and a wonderful wife. Despite a stressful job, he managed to take time to spend with his family.
Three years back, Mr. Amir was starting to have some nausea, and he wasn’t eating that well. Amir also lost 12 KG of weight in a short period of time. Amir decided to visit the doctor for a check-up. The doctor physically examined Amir and suggested a blood test and ultrasound, and Amir did the test and went back home to wait for the results.
The doctor called him the next day and informed him that he was anemic and an ulcer was suspected. The doctor suggested that Amir visit a gastroenterologist for a gastric endoscopy. Mr. Amir followed the suggestion and booked an appointment with a gastroenterologist for the endoscopy in the coming week. The doctor did the endoscopy and found an abnormal mass.
Mr. Amir was anticipating an ulcer, but it turned out to be stomach cancer. Amir was in shock as the doctor suggested he do a CT scan to check the spread of the cancer. Amir did the CT scan, and the results came. Amir had a lesion on his liver and stage IV stomach cancer that day; his whole life changed.
Amir and his wife were in shock and had a feeling of their whole life-shattering in their eyes. Amir’s Elder son, Hussien, supported them and started searching for the best stomach cancer treatment for his father. While searching, he came to know about MedicoExperts and the Tumor board approach for cancer treatment.
Hussien contacted MedicoExperts and forwarded all the reports. The MedicoExperts team explained to Hussein about the Tumor Board approach and also arranged the online video consultation so that all the doubts regarding the treatment were cleared. Amir, after understanding all the details, decided to come to India for the treatment.
After 15 Days, Amir, along with his son Hussien, came to India. Amir was admitted to the hospital on the same day. A pre-evaluation test was performed to check the current spread of cancer.
The doctor started the treatment with three rounds of chemotherapy. After that, the surgical oncologist did the full gastrectomy, which was the removal of the whole stomach. Amir also had a distal pancreatectomy, where part of Amir’s pancreas was removed. After the surgery, a few rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy were given.
After the treatment, a CT scan was performed again to check the outcome of the treatment, and Amir was cancer-free.
Amir and his family were very happy with the results and thanked the doctor and MedicoExperts.
This can be your story as well to win the battle against stomach cancer, even if you have complex cancer. What you need is the right guidance and the right treatment at the right time from the right experts.
Before we move ahead with its symptoms, stages of stomach cancer, its treatment, and survival rates, let’s understand what it really is.
The stomach is an important part of the digestive system. When we eat food, first it is chewed in the oral cavity and then food enters the esophagus. The esophagus tube then takes food to the stomach. The stomach secretes gastric juices on the food. Food and gastric juices mix up and move further into the small intestine.
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. So, in stomach cancer (gastric cancer), uncontrolled growth of cells takes place in the stomach and other body parts around. But, it is not an overnight thing. It takes years to develop. Before cancer cells develop, some pre-cancerous changes take place.
These changes do not cause any symptoms and often go unnoticed.
Symptoms occur after more development of cancerous cells, and different parts of the stomach may show different types of symptoms.
Let’s now understand the different stages of it.
The stage of your stomach cancer tells you the location, size, and spread of a tumor or cancer cells in your stomach. It is classified according to the following five stages, depending on the time of discovery:
In this stage abnormal cells are found in the mucosa layer of the stomach. The mucosa is the innermost layer of the stomach and It lines the lumen of the digestive tract.
In the stage 1 cancer cells would be formed in the mucosa layer and may be formed in the submucosa layer. The submucosa layer is the layer next to the mucosa layer.
In stage 2 cancer cells spread to the submucosa layer and may spread upto muscular cells and nearby lymph nodes.
In stage 3 cancer spreads to more lymph nodes and muscle layers. In stage 3 cancer also spreads to the nearby organs like the adrenal gland, abdomen wall, small intestine, pancreas, and spleen.
It is the most advanced stage of cancer. In this stage, cancer spreads to distant body parts like the lungs, liver, and distant lymph nodes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Can you live without a stomach?
A: It might come as a shock to learn that a person can survive without a stomach. However, the body can bypass the stomach’s primary function of storing and breaking down food, allowing food to pass through to the intestines gradually.
In the absence of a stomach, small amounts of food can pass directly from the esophagus to the small intestine.
Q2. How do you know you have stomach cancer ?
A: Stomach cancer has very generic symptoms. These symptoms may be caused by other reasons as well, and not just stomach cancer.
Symptoms may be vomiting, nausea, frequent heartburn,a feeling of bloating and sudden weight loss without any reason. These are very common symptoms and may not always be stomach cancer.
But if you are at risk from factors like elderly age, a high-fat diet and having symptoms for a long time, it would be better to visit the doctor and go through screening to find reasons behind the symptoms.
Q3. What happens if stomach cancer is left untreated?
A: If left untreated, stomach cancer can spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, and bones.
Q4. How long are you in the hospital after stomach surgery?
A: The duration of your hospital stay will be determined by the type of stomach surgery you underwent, your age, and your overall health. You’ll probably be in the hospital for 3–10 days, but full recovery from a gastrectomy can take 3–6 months.
Q5. Can you still eat if you have your stomach removed?
Ans: Your stomach won’t be able to hold as much after surgery as it could before. Instead of three main meals a day, you’ll need to eat 6 or more small meals. Even if your stomach is smaller or gone, this will help you eat the right amount of food.
Q6. What are the early stages of stomach cancer ?
A: The early stages of stomach cancer often go unnoticed because of very common symptoms.
In the early stages of stomach cancer, patients may feel fullness even after small meals, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain just above the belly button area, indigestion, heartburn. Patients may also get blood in vomit or in stool.
Q7. Is stomach cancer curable ?
A: Stomach cancer is often diagnosed in later stages. This is the reason stomach cancer can’t be completely cured in many cases. However, it is treatable for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy or surgery is carried out to remove cancerous cells and provide relief to the patient.
Q8. What is the survival rate of stomach cancer ?
A: Stomach cancer mostly occurs in older people. The average age of stomach cancer is 68 years.
According to cancer.org, if stomach cancer is found and treated before it has spread outside of the stomach, its 5-year survival rate is 70%.
If cancer is spread to outside tissues and local lymph nodes, its 5 year survival rate is 32%.If cancer is spread to distant parts of the body, 5 year survival rate is 6%.
Next in Stomach Cancer
Author Bio:
Dr. Yashashree Joshi – MBBS, MD (Philippines)
Dr. Yashashree Joshi, MD, is a globally-trained oncologist with a robust academic background and extensive experience in pioneering cancer treatments. Dedicated to patient-centered care, she continually integrates the latest advancements in oncology to provide her patients with innovative and personalized treatment plans.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
