Know More About Stomach Cancer
The stomach is a muscular sac that is located below the ribs in the upper middle region of the abdomen. It stores all the food we eat and is responsible for proper digestion. The food items are converted into simpler forms in the stomach and are made appropriate for absorption. Stomach cancer develops in the body of the stomach, and it is also known as gastric cancer. The treatment of the disease is determined by the level of complexity it has reached.
Causes
- Generally, cancer cells erupt in the body when there is a genetic mutation in the cell. the DNA of the cell instructs the cells to divide rapidly and uncontrollably. The accumulation of cells leads to the formation of tumors.
- Usually, stomach cancer is observed to occur in people above 65 years of age.
- Apart from this, the ethnic background also matters to a great extent. Being an East Asian, South or Central American, or Eastern European enhances the risk of stomach cancer.
Types of stomach cancer
Adenocarcinomas of stomach
The adenocarcinomas of the stomach develop in the cells that are present in the innermost lining of the stomach. These are further divided into two categories.
- The intestinal adenocarcinoma grows gradually and is more treatable, while diffuse adenocarcinoma occurs rarely and is aggressive in nature.
- The intestinal adenocarcinoma is observed more in older adults, while diffuse adenocarcinoma generally occurs in younger adults.
- Linitus plastica is another subtype of adenocarcinoma where the cancerous cells spread all over the stomach, and the tissues turn stiff.
Lymphomas
Lymphomas are a rare occurrence in the stomach. The tumor cells originate in the lymph nodes present in the stomach. Cancer usually develops gradually but holds the potential to convert into metastasizing cancer.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors can also develop in the stomach. In this case, the tumor cells originate in a special cell named the Interstitial cells of Cajal. When viewed under a microscope, the gastrointestinal cells appear similar to nerve cells or muscle cells.
Carcinoid Tumors
The formation of carcinoid tumors takes place in the cells responsible for the production of various hormones in the stomach. Among these, Type 1 and type 2 tumors can be identified during endoscopy. These tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body.
Type 3 tumors are much more aggressive in nature and have the potential to metastasize. These carcinoid tumors may lead to excessive secretion of hormones leading to a condition called carcinoid syndrome.
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
As the name suggests, this type of stomach cancer occurs when genetic mutations are inherited from parent to child. It leads to the development of multiple tumors in the stomach.
Signs and Symptoms
- The individual starts feeling full after small meals. The person may experience difficulty swallowing.
- There could be issues of indigestion, stomach pain, and feeling bloated after every meal.
- Apart from this, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and unintended weight loss can also be experienced by the person.
Diagnosis
Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is done to get detailed images of the cancer cells. A tiny camera is inserted at the end of the tube that helps get images of the inside of the stomach.
Imaging techniques
Certain imaging tests are performed, like CT scans and ultrasound, to detect stomach cancer. A special x-ray called a barium swallow is also performed for diagnosis. Blood tests can also be performed to analyze the functioning of the major body organs.
Biopsy
If any infection is detected in the tests, the doctors may perform a biopsy. This includes collecting samples from the infected area and sending them for analysis in the laboratory. the technician will look for the presence of Cancer cells and the stage they have reached. Also, the type of cancer is determined from here only.
Exploratory Surgery
This surgery is performed or recommended by the doctor to see if the tumor has spread to other body parts. Performed laparoscopically, this surgery uses a special camera for medical imaging.
Side effects of such procedures
- With the increasing number of chemotherapy sessions till they get completed, the patients may start feeling weak, experience infections, loss of appetite, sore mouth, hair loss, and tiredness. There could be bruising or bleeding issues, intense chills, and headaches occurring frequently.
- Some of the common symptoms that are observed after immunotherapy in patients are headache, cough, decreased appetite, localized rashes, itching, and others. Other issues can occur in the form of diarrhea, heart palpitations, fatigue, and weight gain through fluid accumulation.
- Radiation therapy can have both short-term and long-term side effects. It can slow down the growth of normal body cells and tissues, accompanied by possible damage to the kidneys as well. The radiation can lead to causing damage to ovaries in females when operated on the abdominal area.
- Once the surgery has been performed, the human body becomes susceptible to various side effects. These can be major or minor, depending on the immunity and strength of the body. It makes the body more susceptible to infections.
Treatments
Surgery
Surgeries can be performed in many ways. The minor cancer present in the lining of the stomach can be removed with the help of some medical instruments like an endoscope.
Gastrectomy
If the doctor removes some area of the stomach affected by the tumor cells, then the process is termed subtotal gastrectomy. However, if the surgeons remove the entire stomach due to the disease, it is called total gastrectomy. In this case, the esophagus is connected directly to the small intestine so that the process of digestion remains unhampered.
Removing lymph nodes
The lymph nodes present in the abdomen can also be removed by the surgeon to check for the presence of lymph cancer cells. Also, the doctor can perform surgery to provide relief to the patient by removing some growing parts of the tumor.
Targeted Therapy
The aim of targeted therapy is to block the abnormalities present in the cancer cells. This helps in inhibiting the functioning of cancer cells. Testing can be recommended by the specialists to see which drugs are most effective in blocking the channels.
Immunotherapy
Usually, the cells in the body can identify the external agents and deal with them. However, in the cases of cancer, the tumor cells might block the functioning of normal body cells and hence, weaken the system. So, the doctors treat the body with some proteins that restore the normal functioning of the cell.
Chemotherapy
As the name suggests, chemo drugs are used in combination to treat the early stages of cancer. The drugs are injected or infused into a vein(IV). It is one of the primary treatments for curing the disease.
Radiation Therapy
The two basic elements of radiation therapy are protons and X-rays. These are parts of high-energy beams that are made to target the tumor cells. The patient is laid down on the platform, and the machine moves around, targeting the cancer cells.
The advancements in the medical field are extending to the use of neutrons as well. However, the process has not been widely accepted till now.
Why select Ayurveda?
Ayurveda deals with diseases by focusing on the root causes and eliminating them from the body. it makes use of herbal medicines that are helpful for destroying toxins and purifying the body completely. The Herbs used help cleanse the stomach and provide relief to the patient.
Some of the major herbs like ashwagandha, Chandraprabha Vati, Mahashankh Vati, and avipattikar churna Are helpful in preventing and treating the disease. The therapy provided in Ayurveda can be used along with allopathic medicines as they do not pose any side effects. This remains to be the strongest point of Ayurveda.
The herbal solutions do not contain any kind of added preservatives or additives. These help in balancing the vata and Kapha dosha. It prevents tumor growth and provides strength to the body. the herbal medications are responsible for boosting the immune system of the body, which helps in fighting infections with more intensity.
The ingredients present are helpful and provide strength to the cells and avoid damage. The stomach is vulnerable to Receiving different food intakes; these herbal solutions help in maintaining the pH level of the stomach. Bearing healing properties, the Ayurvedic Herbs offers no consequences.