Know Your Disease

Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer (or commonly called stomach cancer) is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells grow from the lining of the stomach. This lining helps digest food. Stomach cancer is staged between I and IV depending on how far the cancer has spread in the abdominal wall layers. Although hospitals offering stomach cancer treatment in Kolkata agree that the disease is difficult to diagnose, early diagnosis can help defeat the disease. The only way is to keep an eye on the symptoms.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, the diagnosis of gastric cancer is often made at an advanced stage because there are no early symptoms. Some symptoms may be similar to other less severe conditions and non-cancerous conditions. People should consult a gastroenterologist if they experience any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:

  • Abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Flatulence after a meal
  • Frequent nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling full
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Swallowing painful
  • Vague weight loss
  • Blood in urine or stool
  • Low red blood count (anaemia)

Most of the above symptoms are caused by factors other than cancer, such as ulcers or viruses. But people, who have any of these symptoms, especially if they persist, should consult a stomach cancer doctor near them to find out the exact cause.

Causes

Any of the following medical conditions can develop into stomach cancer:

  • Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach
  • Chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
  • Severe anaemia
  • Intestinal metaplasia
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or gastric polyps
  • Low in salted and smoked foods and fruits and vegetables
  • Eating cooked or improperly stored food
  • Frequent smoking
  • Aging
  • Family history

Treatment options

According to the best stomach cancer surgeon in Kolkata, the treatment options are:

Surgery – A surgical procedure that can be used to remove cancer cells. There are two types of surgical procedures for stomach cancer – partial or subcutaneous gastrectomy and total gastrectomy. In a partial gastrectomy, the surgeon removes only the part of the abdomen that has cancer, but in the case of a gastrectomy, the entire abdomen is removed.

Chemotherapy – is the use of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, that is, it affects the whole body. Common ways of giving chemotherapy may include intravenous (IV) tubes administered by needle or orally by pill or tablets.

Radiation Therapy – Beams of intense energy are used to destroy cancerous cells. Radiation oncologists in Kolkata can proceed with radiation therapy. This can be used to provide a calming effect on patients who suffer from stomach cancer, but cannot undergo surgery or chemotherapy in Kolkata.

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