De what is it?
Stomach cancer is a malignant process associated with the formation of a tumor, usually in the lining of the stomach. The cause is not entirely clear, but environmental factors are believed to play a major role. The main risk factor is Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, which can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. This bacteria is common, but luckily it is easily treated with antibiotics. It therefore rarely leads to cancer. In addition, frequent consumption of very salty and smoked foods (barbecue), heredity (3-5% of all stomach cancers), partial resection of the stomach, smoking, excessive consumption of Alcohol and occupational exposure to certain fumes are associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
What is its frequency?
The number of new cases of stomach cancer has been declining worldwide for several years. Each year, around 1,400 people in Belgium are diagnosed with stomach cancer. The majority are men, aged 70 on average. Stomach cancer is responsible for approximately 3% of all cancer deaths. The survival rate is low, but higher in Belgium than in most European countries: 30% of patients are still alive after 5 years. Globally, stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2007, the number of new cases was estimated at 1 million, of which 70% were in developing countries, with an estimated 800,000 deaths.
How to recognize it?
At the initial stage, most stomach tumors do not show symptoms (they are asymptomatic). It is only later that symptoms appear, such as complaints in the stomach area (pain, acidity or malaise), nausea and vomiting, feeling of rapid fullness during a meal, difficulty swallowing food (dysphagia) and inexplicable weight loss. Anemia can occur when the tumor begins to bleed. When the tumor bleeds, the person may sometimes notice a stool like charcoal (melena) or regurgitate small amounts of blood.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor may suspect a stomach tumor based on the symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, the intervention of a gastroenterologist is necessary. He will see in the stomach with a small camera, passing through the mouth (gastroscopy) and take a piece of tissue from the tumor for examination under a microscope (biopsy). Any metastases are detected through an ultrasound or a CT scan. A blood test may show anemia.
What can you do ?
As part of the prevention of this cancer, choose a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet with enough fruits and vegetables. Don’t eat too much salted or smoked meat. Do not smoke.
Symptoms of stomach cancer can also occur with other conditions, such as a stomach ulcer and gastritis. If treatment with antacids has no effect within 4 weeks, it is recommended to do a gastroscopy.
What can your doctor do?
After confirmation of the diagnosis, additional examinations (including a CT scan) are performed to see if the cancer has spread. It is on this basis that the treatment to be followed will be chosen. In the absence of metastases, we will choose to remove the tumor by surgery. Lymph nodes near the stomach are also removed and examined for cancer cells. This operation is often accompanied by chemotherapy. The latter can even be initiated before the operation to reduce the size of the tumor. It should also make it possible to facilitate the intervention. Then chemotherapy is continued.
In 75% of cases, metastases are present. In this case, chemotherapy is often preferred only for 12 months, before limiting itself to symptomatic palliative treatment. In this case, the focus is on quality of life rather than healing. The average life expectancy is indeed low (less than a year) and an operation will not really extend the life span.
After treatment, the patient will be closely monitored to detect and treat relapse, tumor extension, and any deficiencies (for example, vitamin B12) caused by resection of the stomach. . We can still intervene surgically but only in the event of complications such as a complete stop of the passage of food (obstruction). A tumor marker can be determined in the blood. This can be useful for monitoring treatment.
Want to know more?
- Eating and gaining years of life is possible! (video) – CSS – Superior Health Council
- Fruits, vegetables and cancer – mongeneraliste.be – SSMG – Scientific Society of General Medicine
- Nutri-Score – SPF Public health, food chain safety and the environment
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Smoking Assistance Center (CAF®) – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Tobacco specialists – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Alcohol aid – Le Pélican & Le center ALFA
- Cancerinfo 0800 15 801 – Information and support telephone line – Fondation contre le cancer
Source