Early manifestations of gastric cancer

Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

Updated on September 05, 2024

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The early signs of gastric cancer may include nausea, vomiting, or mild acid reflux, which are symptoms similar to those of gastritis, stomach ulcers, or duodenal ulcers. Therefore, initially, these patients may not take their condition seriously, assuming they might just have gastritis or peptic ulcers. These are some of the early manifestations of gastric cancer, and some patients may also experience discomfort and a feeling of fullness after eating.

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Oncology

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How is gastric cancer caused?

The causes of gastric cancer are not yet clearly understood. However, its occurrence is associated with poor dietary habits, such as irregular eating—sometimes skipping a meal, sometimes overeating, not having meals on time—and consuming pickled food, barbecued junk food, and other unhealthy dietary practices. Additionally, smoking, alcohol consumption, infection with Helicobacter pylori, chronic gastric diseases such as atrophic gastritis, and genetic factors are all somewhat related to the development of this condition.

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Gastroenterology

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What can stomach cancer patients eat?

Gastric cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the gastric mucosal epithelium. Special attention should be paid to the diet, appropriately supplementing with multivitamins and consuming more fresh foods, such as fresh green vegetables and fruits. The diet should be diverse to avoid favoring certain foods overly and to ensure the intake of a variety of nutrients. It is also necessary to eat some meat for protein, avoid moldy foods, reduce the consumption of pickled, salted, smoked foods, and those rich in nitrites, and avoid the irritation from strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor. In addition to dietary measures, active treatment for early-stage gastric cancer can include endoscopic mucosal resection, or one may opt for a major gastric resection surgery or radiotherapy, while maintaining a good psychological state and sufficient sleep.

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Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

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How to check for gastric cancer?

Gastroscopy is very important in the examination of gastric cancer, and taking a biopsy under gastroscopy is an important means of diagnosis. Other examinations include endoscopic ultrasound or enhanced abdominal CT and chest CT to assess the staging of the patient. With endoscopic ultrasound, we can see which layer of the stomach wall the tumor has invaded and then combine it with chest and abdominal CT scans to assess whether there is distant metastasis. Diagnosis requires gastroscopy with a biopsy taken during the procedure.

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Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

1min 26sec

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How is stomach cancer treated?

The treatment for gastric cancer now includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, among others. The specific treatment plan is formulated based on various factors such as the staging of the cancer, the patient's overall condition, and the presence of any underlying diseases, which are all taken into consideration before deciding on a treatment plan. For patients in the early stages who are generally in good condition, surgical resection can be evaluated and is primarily curative. Post-operative treatment decisions, such as whether to pursue adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depend on the pathology results and the presence of high-risk factors for recurrence. For patients in advanced stages who are found to have distant metastases upon diagnosis, treatment is primarily chemotherapy. Additionally, there are broad-spectrum targeted therapies against angiogenesis, such as apatinib, which are suitable for patients with advanced gastric cancer or those who do not respond well to chemotherapy, serving as a secondary or tertiary line of treatment. These are some of the treatment methods for gastric cancer. It is crucial that the use of any medication is conducted under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua

Oncology

56sec

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Early symptoms of gastric cancer

The symptoms of early gastric cancer are nonspecific and similar to those of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastroparesis, and other benign diseases, making it difficult to distinguish. Screening data shows that 40%-60% of patients with early gastric cancer are asymptomatic. The symptoms of early gastric cancer primarily include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, hematemesis, blood in stools, melena, and difficulty swallowing. Discomfort in the upper abdomen is the most common symptom, followed by pain beneath the sternum. Generally, early gastric cancer does not present specific physical signs, though tenderness in the upper abdomen is relatively common, and some patients may exhibit signs of anemia.