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What is Gastric Cancer?
Cancer of the stomach is a major happening of study
and research in medical sciences. Cancer of the major
organ of the body that holds food for digestion is referred
to as Gastric Cancer. Stomach cancer is the second most
frequent cancer and the second leading cause of death
from cancer. It can develop in any part of the stomach
and spread to other organs. Infection with a bacterium
called Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric
cancer. Eradication of the bacterium prevents or delays
the development of gastric cancer. The risk of gastric
cancer also gets increased in Down syndrome.
Symptoms of Gastric Cancer:
The symptoms of stomach cancer are quite vague. That
is also why generally it takes a long time to detect
it as no one at the preliminary stage treats the symptoms
as something abnormal. Symptoms can include
- Indigestion, acidity and burping
- Feeling full
- Pain
- Feeling or being sick
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Bleeding or tiredness
- Breathlessness because you have lost blood
- Blood clots
- Weight loss
Types of Gastric Cancer:
More than 95% stomach cancers are diagnosed as Aden
carcinomas. This means that the cancer started in the
gland cells in the stomach lining. The gland cells normally
produce mucus and stomach juices. The other 5% are either
of the following:
- Squamous cells cancers
- Lymphomas
- Sarcomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
Treatment includes:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Surgery:
Surgery is the most common treatment. It involves removal
of part (subtotal or partial gastrectomy) or all (total
gastrectomy) of the stomach. The operation you have
to remove your stomach cancer will depend on where in
the stomach the cancer is. You may have a
- Partial gastrectomy
- Total gastrectomy
- Oesophagogastrectomy
These are all major operations and it takes time to
get over them. Your doctor must be sure you are fit
enough to get through an anesthetic and long operation,
and make a good recovery. If your cancer has spread
to another part of your body, you are less likely to
have any of these operations as they will not cure your
cancer. But you may have an operation to bypass or remove
part of the tumor if it is blocking your gullet (oesophagus)
or stomach.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer or 'cytotoxic' drugs
to destroy cancer cells. They work by disrupting the
growth of cancer cells. As they circulate in the blood,
they can reach cancer cells wherever they are in your
body.
For stomach cancer, you may have chemotherapy because
of the following reasons:
- Before or after surgery
- To reduce or control symptoms in advanced cancer
- To slow an advanced cancer down
- You might have your chemotherapy for stomach
cancer
Chemotherapy is given in any of the following ways:
How you have your chemotherapy will depend on the particular
drug or combination of drugs you are having. You may
have a combination of drip, injections and tablets.
- As an injection
- Through a drip into the arm
- Through a pump as a slow continuous infusion
- As tablets
Radiotherapy:
Radiotherapy uses high energy waves to cure cancer.
Doctors don't use radiotherapy as often for cancer of
the stomach as they do for some other types of cancer.
But you may have it for symptoms of an advanced cancer.
It may shrink a large cancer and relieve pressure, which
has been causing pain. Radiotherapy is also very useful
for stopping bleeding from an advanced cancer. Radiotherapy
is also being looked at in combination with chemotherapy
after surgery, to help stop the cancer from coming back.
The actual treatment only takes a few minutes. The
radiographer will help position you on the couch and
make sure you are comfortable. You will be left alone
for the minute or two the machine is switched on. But
the staff will be able to hear you through an intercom,
so call if you need them. The treatment doesn't hurt.
You won't be able to feel it at all. You must lie very
still for the few minutes it takes to treat you. Having
external radiotherapy does not make you radioactive.
It is perfectly safe to be with other people, including
children, throughout your treatment course.
Overview of Apollo Hospitals in the filed of Oncology
(cancer treatment):
Apollo's Oncology Department provides world-class comprehensive
cancer care with dedicated professionals and state-of-the-art
equipment and facilities. Apollo Hospitals are well-known
for its expertise in Oncology treatments and Surgeries.
The Hospitals with their High quality treatments are
at par to international standard. Stomach or Gastric
cancer, the most happening of all types of cancers is
well met with and treated in the chains of Apollo Hospitals.
Their Tumor Board, comprising of medical, surgical,
radiation oncologists, and diagnostic consultants, provide
advice on the best course of treatment for patients.
Medical counselors, speech therapists, dieticians and
other relevant professionals further support the panel.
Apollo provides Oncology services via specific organ
clinics.
Indiaprofile.com offers diagnosis and treatment For
Gastric Cancer. Log on to it to get the information
regarding the concerned disease, its diagnosis and its
different forms of treatments.
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