Cancer is a disease that is defined by the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. The human body is made of trillions of cells; usually, when these cells grow old or are damaged, they are replaced by new cells. However, sometimes, abnormal and or damaged cells grow and multiply instead of new healthy cells during the cell division process.

According to the American Cancer National Institute, cancer is a genetic disease that can occur either due to error during cell division, damage to the DNA by our surroundings or due to genetic disposition to the disease. Gastric cancer or stomach cancer refers to the abnormal growth of damaged cells in the stomach. Gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal issues require medical attention from specialists called gastroenterologists.

If you are experiencing symptoms discussed in the following segments, you can search for a gastroenterologist in Madhapur and visit a famous gastroenterologist in Hyderabad today.

The wall is made from 5 layers of tissues and muscles. These are-

1.      Mucosa

2.      Submucosa

3.      Muscularis propria

4.      Subserosa

5.      Serosa

The stages of stomach cancer are determined by how far cancer has spread through these different layers. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of cancer. Lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, carcinoid tumors, and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer are rare types of stomach cancer.

Adenocarcinomas

Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of stomach cancer. Adenocarcinomas are of 2 main types- Intestinal type and Diffuse type.

·         Intestinal type- Intestinal adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that grows slowly and can be treated with therapy drugs.

·         Diffuse Type- Diffuse adenocarcinoma grows faster than the intestinal type, is more aggressive, and spreads to other body parts more quickly. However, it is less common than intestinal adenocarcinomas.

Symptoms of adenocarcinomas

You must consult a gastroenterology doctor in Hyderabad or a gastro doctor in Hyderabad if you are experiencing the following symptoms-

·         Loss of appetite

·         Abdominal pain

·         Bloody stool

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Jaundice

·         Bloating

·         Weight loss

Lymphomas

The lymphatic system is a system of organs that stores and produces white blood cells that fight infections and other foreign invaders. Lymphoma is the cancer of the lymphatic system. Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma is cancer that begins in the stomach. MALT Lymphoma is a slow-growing lymphoma that can usually be detected in its earliest stages. If the cause of MALT lymphoma is a bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter Pylori, then the lymphoma is treated with antibiotics.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors is a type of stomach cancer that forms in the stomach lining, which is called 'Interstitial Cells of Cajal.’ Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a rare type of stomach cancer whose symptoms include- blood in stool, blood in vomit, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Consult a gastro doctor in Hyderabad if you have the above symptoms. GISTs can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Carcinoid Tumors

Carcinoid tumors are a rare type of stomach cancer that starts in the stomach's hormone-producing cells. They rarely spread to other organs. They can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer

This is a genetically passed down type of stomach cancer. Although this kind of cancer is rare, the mutation associated with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer can be detected during genetic testing. Symptoms of HDGC include- loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. HDGC can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Risk factors associated with developing Stomach Cancer

While doctors aren’t certain about what causes stomach cancer, they have identified certain risk factors that can increase your chances of developing it. Factors that increase chances of cancer developing in the stomach are-

·         Smoking

·         Diets consisting predominantly of salty and smoked foods.

·         Diets that don’t include fresh vegetables and fruits.

·         Gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux.

·         Stomach polyps

·         Gastritis

·         Family history of stomach cancer.

·         Infection with Helicobacter Pylori.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

Symptoms of stomach cancer

·         Loss of appetite

·         Abdominal pain

·         Bloody stool

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Jaundice

·         Bloating

·         Weight loss

·         Indigestion

You must consult the best gastroenterologist doctor in Hyderabad if you experience any of these symptoms.

A doctor will diagnose a patient with stomach cancer by conducting physical examinations, conducting upper endoscopy, a biopsy of sample tissues, blood tests, imaging tests, and exploratory surgeries. All of these tests are conducted to investigate the type of cancer, the severity of cancer, what stage the cancer is, and how much it has spread. Once the extent of the stomach cancer is determined, the gastroenterologist will consider treatment options to treat cancer.

Prevention of Stomach Cancer

In one of the above sections, we discussed some of the risk factors associated with developing stomach cancer. In this segment, we will discuss preventative measures that we can apply in our lives to reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer-

·         Quit Smoking- Smoking Kills! Smoking can increase the risk of cancers of the lung, esophagus, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, and stomach. By quitting smoking you can reduce the risk of stomach cancer along with other cancers and health issues.

·         Treating Helicobacter Pylori infection- Helicobacter Pylori is a bacterium that can cause stomach infection, peptic ulcers, stomach cancer, and other gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter Pylori can be treated with antibiotics, vitamins, and supplements. Studies show that treating helicobacter Pylori can lower the risk of developing stomach cancer.

·         Eating fresh fruits and vegetables-Risk factors associated with stomach cancer includes diets rich in salty and smoked foods, and diets that don’t have enough fresh vegetables and fruits in them. Therefore, eating a well-balanced diet with all of the necessary nutrients can reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

·         Dietary supplements- Some studies have shown that taking dietary supplements which maintains gut health and the general well-being of our body can also reduce the risk of stomach cancer. 

·         Exercising- Obesity puts you at risk of stomach cancer. Therefore, getting daily exercise is very important.

·         Genetic testing- If you have a family member or multiple family members who have had stomach cancer, then you are at risk of developing stomach cancer. Early detection is a boon, therefore, you must get genetic testing to detect any growing cancerous mutations.

·         Medication- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen reduce the risk of developing some stomach cancers. Gastroenterologist in Madhapur and other parts of the world do not recommend using such medication on a routine basis as they can cause internal bleeding and other gastrointestinal diseases.

·         Alcohol use- Just like smoking, quitting alcohol or reducing alcohol consumption has many health benefits but most importantly the reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Limiting your alcohol consumption can also help with other gastrointestinal diseases.

If you have a history of stomach cancer in your family or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed in this article, then you must visit a gastroenterology doctor in Hyderabad. Book an appointment with the best gastroenterologist doctor in Hyderabad today!