Stomach cancer is a serious disease in which cancer cells first develop in the stomach. This eMedTV article presents an overview of stomach cancer, including information about its symptoms and how the disease is diagnosed and treated.
The most common type of stomach cancer is gastric adenocarcinoma. This eMedTV article discusses stomach cancer types, which also include lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system) and sarcomas (cancers of the connective tissue, such as muscle).
In the case of stomach cancer, causes of the disease have not yet been found. As explained in this eMedTV segment, researchers have identified factors (such as smoking) that increase a person's chances of developing stomach cancer.
When it comes to stomach cancer, risk factors such as smoking increase one's chances of developing the disease. This eMedTV segment identifies other risk factors for stomach cancer, such as being male or having a family history of the disease.
For people with stomach cancer, symptoms may include indigestion, nausea, bloody stools, and stomach pain. This eMedTV article lists early symptoms of stomach cancer (such as heartburn) as well as advanced symptoms of the disease (such as jaundice).
As explained in this eMedTV resource, after the doctor has conducted a physical exam and reviewed the patient's medical history he or she may order tests such as a blood chemistry study, a complete blood count, an upper GI series, or a CT scan.
The stomach cancer stage refers to the extent of the disease. As this eMedTV article explains, it's important to determine the stage of stomach cancer when planning treatment. Stages of stomach cancer include stages 0-IV and recurrent cancer.
In cases of stomach cancer, treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This eMedTV article covers many aspects of treatment for stomach cancer, including side effects, follow-up care, and clinical trials.
A stomach cancer prognosis is a prediction as to the course and outcome of the disease. This eMedTV article examines factors that affect a prognosis for a person with stomach cancer and contains statistics such as survival rates.
Stomach cancer prevention involves avoiding risk factors that can be controlled (such as smoking). This eMedTV article discusses strategies for the prevention of stomach cancer, including avoiding a diet rich in smoked, salted, or pickled food.
Stomach cancer screening involves testing people for the disease when they have no symptoms. This eMedTV article discusses tests that may be used in screening for stomach cancer and identifies groups of people who might benefit from such screening.
In order to better understand and treat stomach cancer, research is being conducted all over the U.S. This eMedTV page discusses stomach cancer research now under way, such as work being done on using biological therapy to treat the disease.
Based on stomach cancer statistics, an estimated 22,280 Americans will be diagnosed with the cancer in 2006. This eMedTV resource offers statistics concerning stomach cancer, including survival rates, age-at-diagnosis figures, and prevalence rates.
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