Stomach adenocarcinoma is a type of gastric cancer that begins in glandular cells of the stomach. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor. Symptoms include heartburn, gas, bloating, and unexplained weight loss. Diagnosis is done through endoscopy and biopsy. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Prognosis varies depending on the patient and the stage of the cancer.
Stomach adenocarcinoma is a type of gastric cancer. It begins in the glandular cells of the stomach, which are cells that excrete substances such as fluid and mucus. The prognosis and treatment options vary depending on how advanced the cancer is.
Most people who develop gastric cancer have a bacteria in their stomach called Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium only grows in the stomach. It causes weakness in the stomach lining and allows the body’s digestive juices to irritate the inside of the stomach, causing ulcers and inflammation. Researchers believe that Helicobacter pylori contributes to the development of adenocarcinoma of the stomach because the disease usually develops in places where the stomach lining is inflamed.
Men who are over the age of 40 are at the highest risk. Other high-risk groups include minorities and people living in poverty; smokers and individuals who have blood type A are also at risk. The disease is more prevalent in Asia and South America than in the United States.
Stomach adenocarcinoma causes symptoms such as heartburn, gas, and bloating. Patients may feel full after eating small meals and may experience unexplained weight loss. Less commonly, patients vomit blood or pass black, tarry stools.
A doctor can diagnose the disease by performing an endoscopy. The doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a small camera attached to it to look inside the body. He will also take a biopsy or tissue sample of the affected area so that tests can be done on it. If the patient has adenocarcinoma of the stomach, the doctor will also order computed tomography (CT) scans to see how far the cancer has spread.
The prognosis varies depending on the patient. People whose tumors form in the lower stomach generally tend to do better than people who have cancer in the upper stomach. Doctors treat the disease by removing the stomach and lymph nodes. Some patients also benefit from chemotherapy and radiation.
Many people who have adenocarcinoma of the stomach don’t know they have serious disease until the cancer is already in an advanced stage. The disease metastasizes or spreads rapidly to other parts of the body, even when the disease is in its early stages, which can make treatment difficult. This type of cancer cannot be cured if the cancer spreads outside the stomach. In these cases, doctors prescribe treatments that reduce symptoms and put their patients at ease.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN