A stomach tumor or gastric cancer is a condition when cells multiply quickly in the stomach. The stomach is an organ in the form of a bag. And plays a pivotal role in the digestion of food. Food is broken into fine particles by the stomach, and this helps in proper digestion of food particles. A stomach tumor can occur in any part of the stomach, but is mainly confined to the stomach inner lining. Once you chew the food, it is drawn into the esophagus. It is a long, svelte, and muscular tube. The esophagus transports food from the throat into the stomach. The gastroesophageal junction connects the esophagus to the stomach. Gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) cancer is one type of cancer. This blog will help you understand stomach tumor symptoms, including causes, types, and treatment options.
Stomach tumor is considered the fifth most common cancer that prevails globally. In 2020, nearly 1.1 million people were infected with this condition. Men are diagnosed two times more often than women with stomach cancer. Besides, heavy drinking and smoking are associated with a greater risk of acquiring stomach tumors. Medical history and hereditary factors play a critical role. If someone in your family has this illness, your risk of acquiring this condition is high.
What Is a Stomach Tumor?
When there is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the stomach and it forms a hard mass of unhealthy cells, this signals the start of stomach cancer. This condition mainly starts in the inner lining of the stomach. Stomach cancer is a rare form of cancer, and if not treated on time it can make a person aggressive and treatment in the later stages difficult. Regular diagnosis and an early detection play a pivotal role in improving the prognosis of stomach tumors.
This illness progresses slowly over many years. Stomach cancer starts 95% of the time in the stomach lining and progresses slowly. It can make mass from tumor cells in the stomach. The tumor can outspread in the other parts of the body organs such as liver, pancreas etc.
Types of Stomach Tumors
- Adenocarcinoma
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
- Lymphoma
- Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma
- Carcinoid Tumors
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Small Cell Carcinoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
Causes of Stomach Tumor
Stomach cancer is a rare condition, and certain factors are known to cause it. Some of these are:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Infection: It affects the lining of the stomach. This can cause chronic inflammation. And an increase in the risk for gastric cancer mainly in the stomach lining.
- Chronic Gastritis: An infection from H. pylori, autoimmune conditions, and exposures related to environmental matters can cause this.
- Family History of Stomach Cancer: If this condition persists in family members, it can be a concern for the entire family and raise the risk for each individual.
- Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: Excess intake of these products is an invitation for the risk factors of stomach cancer. Both of these cause harm to the stomach lining.
- Dietary Habits: A high diet of fatty, salty, smoked, and pickled food increases the risk for stomach tumors. Salt, when consumed in excess, also damages the stomach lining. Processed food, red meat that is rich in nitrates, and nitrites also pose a risk.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to dangerous materials risks acquiring this condition, and these include, asbestos and coal dust.
Symptoms of Stomach Tumor or Cancer
Symptoms or signs of stomach tumor depend on the stage and its location. Some common symptoms linked with the condition are given below:
- Continued Indigestion and Irritation: Persistent stomach upset, bloating, and irritation in the upper abdomen are the initial signs. These symptoms may come and go over and over again.
- Loss of Appetite: This is a common symptom and can be due to the tumor itself or as a side effect of the treatment.
- Abdominal Pain: A sharp pain mainly in the upper abdomen is likely to be a sign that the cancer is in the advanced stages. This pain may be significant as the tumor advances and attacks close tissues.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Persistent nausea, sometimes with blood, is another concerning symptom. It can be due to a blockage on behalf of the tumor or reddening of the stomach lining.
- Unaccountable Weight Loss: This may be visible as cancer advances and adversely affects the ability to eat and digest food particles.
- Black Stools: Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract may show blood in the stool (black and tarry stools) or in vomit. The vomit may show up as dark and coffee-like. This may be more prominent in the advanced stages of tumor.
- Feeling Tired: Extreme fatigue is another common symptom of stomach tumors. This is more visible in the later stages of the condition as the person may feel anemic due to internal loss of blood from the tumor. It may decrease the oxygen supply needed by the blood and cause fatigue.
- Heartburn: As the chance of tumor interrupting normal stomach function is high and it can lead to acid reflux. This can make heartburn a potent sign of stomach cancer.
Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer treatment is more likely to be effective if the cancer only affects the stomach. People who have minor stomach problems are least likely to acquire this condition. Most people are aware about this condition when the disease has advanced. This can greatly make the treatment process less effective. An overview of the treatment for stomach tumor is given below:
- Surgery:
- The end goal of this medical procedure is to remove cancer cells in the early stages.
- The tumor’s size, its location, and whether it is confined or has spread to surrounding lymph nodes.
- The surgery may involve removing part of the stomach or complete removal as the case may be.
- Chemotherapy: Drugs are used here that stop the spread of cancer cells. It is recommended before or after the surgery. It makes it easy to decrease the tumor, stop spread of remaining cancer cells, or decrease the danger of recurrence.
- Radiation: Targeted beams in the form of high-energy X-rays are employed to kill cancer cells. May be used prior to surgery to decrease the tumor or post surgery to get rid of remaining cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Drugs are used here that help the body to fight cancer cells. Examples include checkpoint inhibitors that can intensify the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Palliative Care:
- This is a type of support care whose purpose is to improve the overall health of patients who are victims for this condition.
- This treatment focuses on management of pain, pinpointing the side effects of stomach cancer treatment and giving emotive and mental support to patients.
Cost of the Treatment
In India, this medical procedure might cost anywhere between Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000. “Atithi Devo Bhava” is a social awareness campaign on behalf of the Indian government. And this campaign is meant to make India a popular tourism destination. One can plan his or her treatment in the country due to a number of hospitals offering cost-effective treatment, and a team of well-trained doctors and support staff. Cost-related factors include:
- The stage and location of cancer
- Type of surgery
- Hospital location if it is in a metro city or a small city
- Patient’s age
- Health condition of the patient
- An extended hospital stay
- Post-operative aftercare and dressing
5 Best Ways to Improve Stomach Tumor Symptoms
Here are some of the best ways to improve stomach cancer symptoms:
Dietary Adjustments
The first and most important thing in improving stomach cancer symptoms is that people have to compromise with their regular diet. A healthy diet plays a crucial role in improving stomach health, so it is very important for people to eat a balanced diet full of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Including vegetables and fruits in your diet is the best option, and avoiding fast food and high-cholesterol food is important for a healthy stomach and digestive system.
Specialized Medical Treatment
It is best to seek medical assistance on time to improve the stomach cancer symptoms. People should go for therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy as suggested by their medical expert. These measures reduce the chances of advanced abdominal cancer symptoms, and they recover on time.
Pain Management
Patients with stomach cancer need to manage their pain for better recovery and treatment. Doctors help patients reduce their pain by giving them pain-controlling pills. Patients also go for therapies like massage, relaxation methods, and deep breathing, which help in pain management.
Managing Nausea and Vomiting
It is best to manage nausea and vomiting to improve stomach cancer symptoms. Doctors prescribe certain medicines to patients that control vomiting and nausea. Patients can also go for homemade recipes, like sipping ginger tea or eating plain for stoping vomiting and nausea.
Physical Activity and Rest
It is very important to do some lighter physical activities which help you reduce fatigue and boost your mood. After some physical activity it is very important to take proper rest so that your body can recover from tiredness.
Conclusion
A tumor is a serious problem that can cost even death if not treated on time. So patients need to know the symptoms of stomach tumor or cancer in advance so that they can treat themselves on time. Patients who are going through any of the signs in their bodies, which are mentioned above, can immediately consult with their doctors and take advice related to the disease.