Stomach Cancer

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is stomach cancer?

• Stomach cancer is an abnormal growth of tissue in the stomach. It is also called gastric cancer. Normally, cells divide (split) in a planned way, making more cells only when needed. Cancer cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue (tumor). Cancer cells may grow into nearby healthy tissue. They may also break away from the tumor and spread to other areas of the body. Once cancer cells spread, the cancer is harder to control.
  
  
• The stomach is an organ in the upper part of the abdomen (stomach) under the ribs. It is part of the digestive system where food is broken down. It is connected to the esophagus and the small bowel. The stomach produces digestive juices needed to break down large pieces of food into smaller ones.

What causes stomach cancer? There is no known cause of stomach cancer. The following may put you at higher risk for having stomach cancer:

• Age: Being male or over 60 years old.
  
  
• Diet: Diet high in foods preserved by smoking, salting or pickling. Foods such as bacon, ham and processed meats such as salami and corned beef also increases your risk.
  
  
• Family history: Having a family member who has stomach or colon (large bowel) cancer.
  
  
• Blood type: Having blood type A.
  
  
• Other:
  
  
  • Having other diseases, such as stomach ulcers caused by bacteria.
    
    
  • Previous stomach surgery, such as partial gastrectomy (removal of part of the stomach).
    
    
  • Smoking cigarettes.

What are the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer? Stomach cancer does not usually cause symptoms in its early stages. The tumor may have grown and spread outside the stomach by the time you have symptoms. If symptoms occur early, these may include one or more of the following:

• Blood in your vomit or BM.
  
  
• Diarrhea (loose or liquid BMs) or constipation (hard BMs).
  
  
• Feeling bloated or full even after a small meal.
  
  
• Heartburn, nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or stomach pain.
  
  
• Loss of appetite for food.
  
  
• Trouble swallowing solid or liquid food.
  
  
• Unexplained weight loss.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound is a test that is done to see inside your abdomen. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your abdomen on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Barium meal: Caregivers will have you eat a meal that has barium in it. Barium is a liquid that helps your stomach and intestines show up better in x-rays. A x-ray machine is then used to take pictures of your stomach. Caregivers watch the pictures to see how your stomach digests the meal.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your chest, stomach, and pelvis (hip area). Your caregivers look at the pictures to see if there is stomach cancer and if it has spread. Before taking the pictures, you may be given dye through an IV in your vein. The dye helps the cancer show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.
  
  
• Endoscopy: This test uses a scope to see the inside of your digestive tract. A scope is a long, bendable tube with a light on the end of it. A camera may be hooked to the scope to take pictures. During an endoscopy, caregivers may find problems with how your digestive tract is working. Samples may be taken from your digestive tract and sent to a lab for tests. Small tumors may be removed, and bleeding may be treated during an endoscopy.
  
  
• Stool exam: You may need to pass a BM into a cup to send to a lab. The stool may show occult (hidden) blood. It is done because sometimes stomach cancer causes bleeding that cannot be seen. If there is blood in your BM, it may be caused by the cancer or by other problems.

How is stomach cancer treated? Stomach cancer is treatment depends upon the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread. You may have one or more of the following treatments:

• Surgery: Caregivers may do surgery to remove a part or all of your stomach. This surgery is called gastrectomy.
  
  
• Chemotherapy:
  
  
  • This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may need surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
    
    
  • Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.
  
  
• Radiation: This is a treatment using x-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer and keeps the cancer from spreading. It also keeps cancer cells from dividing into new cells, which is one way cancer spreads. Lymph nodes with cancer are also treated with radiation. In some cancers, radiation may be given after surgery to kill cancer cells that were not removed. It may also be given with chemotherapy. Radiation may help decrease pain, control bleeding, and shrink the tumor.

How can I decrease the risks for having stomach cancer?

• Avoid nitrates and nitrites. These chemicals are found in processed meats, such as salami and corned beef, and in cured meats, such as ham and bacon.
  
  
• Eat a variety of healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamins A, C, and E. Also include milk, yogurt, and cheese in your diet.
  
  
• Limit the amount of smoked, pickled and heavily salted foods you eat.
  
  
• Stop smoking cigarettes and tobacco.

How do I find support and more information? Stomach cancer is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have stomach cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, depressed, or frightened. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings.

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
  2 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
  Phone: 1-800-8915389
  Web Address: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
  

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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