Stomach cancer is a malignant neoformation of epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa. It is in top-10 among the most common types of cancer that are more frequent than others. Treating stomach cancer at early stages can help to increase the life span of patients.
The disease can be characterized by different signs.
- Tx – it was impossible to assess the tumor;
- T0 – there are no signs of a primary tumor;
- Tis – intraepithelial tumor without the invasion in the basic membrane and mucosa;
- T1 – a tumor adheres to mucous or submucous layers of the gastric wall;
- T2 – a tumor adheres to the subserous layer without the invasion into the visceral peritoneum and other organs;
- T3 – a tumor adheres to the subserous layer without the invasion into the visceral peritoneum;
- T4 – a tumor adheres to the serous coat and/or adjacent organs;
- Nx – it was impossible to assess the lymph nodes;
- N0 – there are no metastases to the lymph nodes;
- N1, N2, N3, N3a, N3b – metastases are observed in 1–2, 3–6, 7, 7–15, 16 and more lymph nodes;
- M0 – there are no distant metastases;
- M1 – there are distant metastases.
You will find more detailed information on the consequences of stomach cancer at its different stages (for example, what is the life expectancy for the patient with stage IV stomach cancer) at our website.
The immediate causes of stomach cancer are still not known. The factors contributing to the development of this disease are identified:
The symptoms of the pathology can be early and late ones. The severity of signs of stomach cancer in women and men depends on the stage of its development.
It can take several months to several years between the first symptoms of stomach cancer and the signs of complications. The most dangerous complications of stomach cancer are:
A number of instrumental and laboratory methods are used to diagnose stomach cancer.
Treatment methods for stomach cancer are as follows: surgical – stomach resection (gastrectomy) or subtotal stomach resection with the removal of regional lymph nodes, and chemical therapy. As a rule, treatment for stomach cancer is combined (a combination of surgery and chemical therapy).
There are no specific preventive measures for stomach cancer. Rejection of bad habits, rational balanced nutrition, medical examinations by a gastroenterologist even in the absence of complaints, performing gastroscopy after 30 years in case of stomach cancer of close relatives, as well as in the presence of symptoms and indications (determined by a gastroenterologist or a family doctor) treating Helicobacter Pylori infection will help to reduce its risk.
Article author - Kristina Zadoroznaya, M.D.
Publication date: 29.07.2020
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