According to the Merck Manual's Online Medical Library, stomach cancer occurs in about 21,000 people each year and is the seventh most common cause of cancer death. Although not all tumors are cancerous, 95% of stomach tumors are malignant.
Significance
Stomach cancer is usually seen in people who are more than 50 years old and affects more men than women. It also typically affects poor blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and those living in cold climates.
Types
Rare types of tumors include lymphoma, which develops within the stomach, and leiomyosarcoma, also known as stromal cell tumor or spindle cell tumor, which is cancer of the smooth muscle of the stomach.
Causes/Risk Factors
The cause of most stomach cancers appears to be infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Risk factors include smoking, problems in the stomach such as stomach surgery or chronic gastritis, high intake of salt, carbohydrates and preservatives and a low intake of fruits and leafy vegetables.
Symptoms
Although these symptoms do not neccessarily mean that cancer is present, typical symptoms include abdominal discomfort such as burning abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, lightheadedness, and weakness due to difficulty eating.
Diagnosis
If cancer is suspected, the patient will undergo an upper GI X-ray and a physical exam. A gastroenterologist will perform an endoscopy to see inside the stomach, followed by a biopsy of tissue samples. A CT scan of the upper digestive system is the next procedure if cancer is found.
Prognosis/Treatment
Because the cancer spreads quickly, fewer than 15% of people survive longer than five years. The chance of survival also depends on how far the cancer has penetrated the stomach wall. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, the stage and the patient's overall health, treatment is usually surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to remove or destroy cancer cells.
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