Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer) is a disease in which the cells forming the inner lining of the stomach become abnormal and start to divide uncontrollably, forming a mass or a tumor. Stomach cancer represents roughly 2% (25,500 cases) of all new cancer cases yearly in the United States, but it is much more common in Korea, Japan, Great Britain, South America, and Iceland.

Stomach cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in many countries in central Asia, central Europe, and central and South America. In the United States, there has been a dramatic drop in the incidence of stomach cancer in the last 50 years. While the exact reason for this decline is not known, it may be related to a decreased use of salting and smoking foods as a means of preserving them and an increased use of refrigeration. Gastric cancer shows a male predominance in its incidence as up to 3 males are affected for every female. Estrogen may protect women against the development of this cancer form. It is generally found in people who are 40 years or older. The average age at first diagnosis is 60 years.

The stomach is a J-shaped organ that lies in the abdomen, on the left side. The esophagus (or the food pipe) carries the food from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach produces many digestive juices and acids that mix with the food and aid in the process of digestion. The stomach is divided into five sections. The first three are together referred to as the proximal stomach, and produce acids and digestive juices, such as pepsin. The fourth section of the stomach is where the food is mixed with the gastric juices. The fifth section of the stomach acts as a valve and controls the emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine. Cancer can develop in any of the five sections of the stomach. The symptoms and the outcomes of the disease may vary depending on the location of the cancer.

Stomach cancer is treatable if caught early. Unfortunately, it rarely causes symptoms in the beginning stages. When symptoms do occur, they're often vague and can easily be mistaken for other, more common but less serious problems such as a stomach virus or heartburn. Less than one in five stomach cancers are diagnosed before they have spread outside the stomach.
See your doctor if you have a persistent feeling of discomfort in the upper or middle region of your abdomen, especially if it occurs in conjunction with fatigue and weight loss. And see your doctor right away if you develop black, tarry stools or if you vomit after meals. Although not always indicators of stomach cancer, these signs may result from other conditions that require medical care.

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