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Often developing gradually over several years, stomach (gastric) cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the stomach lining. More often found in older individuals, it is usually linked to risk factors including Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, heavy consumption of salted or smoked foods, alcohol use, obesity, and a family history of stomach cancer. Additional factors raising the risk are chronic gastritis, some hereditary disorders, and past stomach surgery.
Early stages of stomach cancer can be challenging to diagnose since they generally show either minimal or no symptoms. As the illness advances, symptoms could include heartburn, nausea, bloating following meals, inexplicable weight loss, stomach pain, vomiting, and tiredness. Advanced instances can exhibit bleeding symptoms, including dark stools or vomiting blood.
Usually, upper endoscopy with biopsy, CT scans, and occasionally staging laparoscopy validates the diagnosis. The stage determines the course of treatment; it may call for surgical resections, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, focused therapy, or immunotherapy. Early identification greatly increases survival rates; advanced cases call for multimodal treatment to slow down disease development and enhance quality of life. A nutritious diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and early treatment of H. pylori infections are part of preventative actions.