Posted in: Stomach Cancer Treatment by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 09 Apr, 2018
Stomach cancer is identified by a growth of the cancerous cells in the lining of the stomach. Also called gastric cancer, this type of cancer is difficult to diagnose because most people typically don’t show symptoms in the earlier stages. Stomach cancer is rare as compared to other cancer, and one of the biggest dangers of this disease is the difficulty of diagnosing it. As it does not show early signs, it is often left undiagnosed and it spreads to other parts of the body making it more difficult to treat.
Signs
Early-stage stomach cancer hardly causes any symptoms making it difficult to detect in the initial stages. The common signs are -
- Pain and discomfort in the abdomen usually above the navel.
- Nausea and blood vomit.
- Weight loss
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen
- Low red blood cell count
- A sense of fullness after eating a small meal.
The above mentioned symptoms are more likely to be caused by reasons other than cancer, such as a stomach virus or an ulcer. They may also occur with other types of cancer. In case these problems persist for long, the individuals should consult a doctor immediately so that it can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
Diagnosis
The main test for stomach cancer detection is an endoscopy. The specialist uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera passing in the mouth, down the throat and the oesophagus in order to look at the digestive tract. If any suspicious looking areas are detected, a small tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. Other diagnostic measures are gastroscopic exam, ultrasound, barium meal x-ray, laparoscopy and CT scan or PET Scan.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
The main stomach cancer treatment is surgery - a total or partial gastrectomy. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink the large tumours. However, it is treated with one or more of the following -
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
The exact cancer treatment depends on the origin and stage of the cancer. Your age and overall health also plays a major role.
Cancer Healer Center, a leading cancer hospital in Delhi offers Cancer Healer Therapy. It is based on the principle of Immunotherapy, which is one of the most appealing stomach cancer treatment approaches and has shown improvement even at later stages. The treatment aims at providing a better quality of life to the patient with improved survival chances. Contact the cancer specialist in Delhi for proper treatment and care.
Ways to prevent stomach cancer
Some steps to minimize the risk of stomach cancer are -
1. Quit smoking
2. Consumption of a diet high in fresh vegetables and fruits
3. Reduce intake of smoked and salted food.