BlogsCourses & TrainingMedia & EventsAwardsOutreach ProgramCareersResearchFAQ's
Bangalore Gastro CentreNABH Accredited
About Us
Specialities
Treatments
Our Doctors
International Patients
Contact Us
BlogsCourses & TrainingMedia & EventsAwardsOutreach ProgramCareersResearchFAQ's
Make an Appointment
whatsapp
Our Treatments

Stomach Cancer

Hospital Building
Stomach Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Last updated: 15 January 2025

Category: diseases

Understanding Stomach Cancer:

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, originates in the lining of the stomach. It typically develops over many years and may initially exhibit few symptoms. As the cancer progresses, it can spread to nearby organs and tissues, making early detection crucial for successful treatment.

The risk factors for stomach cancer include age, gender (more common in men), family history, certain infections (such as H. pylori), diet (high in smoked, salted, or pickled foods), smoking, and obesity.

Symptoms:

Stomach cancer may present with various symptoms, including:

– Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort

– Unintentional weight loss

– Loss of appetite

– Difficulty swallowing

– Nausea and vomiting

– Feeling full after eating small amounts of food

– Blood in the stool or vomiting blood

How Bangalore Gastro Centre Can Assist You:

Timely Diagnosis and Intervention:

We utilize cutting-edge diagnostic methods to promptly identify stomach cancer, enabling early intervention and improved treatment outcomes.

Customized Treatment Plans:

Our gastroenterologists devise personalized treatment strategies tailored to your unique condition and medical needs, encompassing a range of modalities from chemotherapy and radiation therapy to surgery and targeted therapy.

Compassionate Care and Support:

We recognize the emotional and physical challenges associated with stomach cancer and provide compassionate support to help you and your loved ones navigate through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Results:

Early detection and comprehensive treatment significantly enhance the prognosis for stomach cancer patients. Our commitment to excellence ensures that you receive the best possible care to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Potential Complications:

Left untreated, stomach cancer can lead to serious complications such as metastasis to other organs, obstruction of the digestive tract, bleeding, and severe malnutrition. Timely intervention is essential to minimize these risks and improve prognosis.

Prevention and Risk Reduction:

While some risk factors for stomach cancer may not be avoidable, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and seeking regular medical check-ups, can help reduce the risk of developing this disease.

Meet Our Expert Gastroenterologists:

Our team of experienced gastroenterologists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer, ensuring that you receive individualized care tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Contact Information:

For appointments and inquiries, please reach out to us:

Tel: 080-4688-8888

Email: info@bangaloregastrocentre.com

Visit our website www.bangaloregastrocentre.com for more information and to schedule a consultation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this treatment and condition.

What are the early signs and symptoms of stomach cancer?

+

Early stomach cancer often has subtle symptoms including persistent indigestion or stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly after eating small amounts, mild nausea, heartburn, and bloating. As cancer progresses, symptoms may include unintentional weight loss, stomach pain that may worsen after eating, severe nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and fatigue. Unfortunately, early symptoms are often overlooked, emphasizing the importance of medical evaluation for persistent digestive complaints.

What causes stomach cancer and who is at higher risk?

+

Risk factors include H. pylori bacterial infection (strongest risk factor), diet high in smoked, salted, or pickled foods, low fruit and vegetable intake, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, family history of stomach cancer, previous stomach surgery, pernicious anemia, and certain genetic conditions like Lynch syndrome. Geographic factors also play a role, with higher rates in East Asia. Age over 50, male gender, and blood type A are additional risk factors.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

+

Diagnosis involves upper endoscopy (EGD) to directly visualize the stomach and obtain tissue biopsies, CT scans of chest, abdomen, and pelvis for staging, blood tests including tumor markers, barium swallow studies, and sometimes PET scans or laparoscopy for staging. Endoscopic ultrasound helps determine tumor depth and lymph node involvement. Early detection through screening endoscopy is recommended for high-risk individuals, particularly those with H. pylori infection or family history.

What are the treatment options for stomach cancer?

+

Treatment depends on cancer stage and location. Early-stage cancers may be treated with endoscopic resection. Most cases require surgical resection (partial or total gastrectomy) with lymph node removal. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink tumors. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery improves outcomes for advanced stages. Targeted therapies like HER2 inhibitors and immunotherapy are used for specific cancer types. Palliative treatments help manage symptoms in advanced disease.

What is the survival rate for stomach cancer?

+

Survival rates vary significantly by stage at diagnosis. Five-year survival rates are approximately 70% for localized disease, 32% for regional spread, and 6% for distant metastases. Overall five-year survival is about 32%. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, which is why screening programs in high-risk populations are important. Factors affecting prognosis include tumor location, grade, patient age, and response to treatment. Newer treatments continue to improve survival rates.

How can stomach cancer be prevented?

+

Prevention strategies include treating H. pylori infection when detected, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting smoked, salted, and preserved foods, maintaining healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding unnecessary long-term use of certain medications. Regular screening endoscopy may be recommended for high-risk individuals. In countries with high stomach cancer rates, population-based H. pylori eradication programs have shown promise in reducing cancer incidence.

What should I expect during stomach cancer treatment?

+

Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, oncologists, and support staff. Surgery may require hospital stay of 5-10 days with gradual diet advancement. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles over several months with manageable side effects. Recovery from surgery takes 6-12 weeks. Nutritional support is crucial throughout treatment. Regular monitoring with scans and blood tests tracks treatment response and detects any recurrence early.

What are the side effects of stomach cancer treatment?

+

Surgery side effects may include changes in eating patterns, need for smaller frequent meals, dumping syndrome, vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), and digestive issues. Chemotherapy side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased infection risk, which are generally temporary and manageable. Long-term effects may include dietary restrictions and need for nutritional supplementation. Most patients adapt well to lifestyle changes with proper support and guidance.

How is follow-up care managed after stomach cancer treatment?

+

Follow-up includes regular physical exams every 3-6 months initially, blood tests including tumor markers, CT scans to monitor for recurrence, nutritional assessments and supplementation as needed, and endoscopy if indicated. The schedule gradually decreases over time. Long-term survivors need monitoring for late effects of treatment and second cancers. Survivorship care plans help coordinate ongoing care between oncologists and primary care physicians.

What support resources are available for stomach cancer patients?

+

Support resources include patient navigators to coordinate care, support groups for patients and families, nutritionist counseling for dietary management, social work services for practical assistance, psychological counseling, palliative care for symptom management, and organizations like the Stomach Cancer Foundation. Many hospitals offer comprehensive cancer support programs addressing physical, emotional, and practical needs throughout the cancer journey.

Need Expert Care?

Our specialists are here to provide personalized treatment and answer any additional questions you may have.

Book ConsultationCall Now
Book Appointment