Stomach cancer is a serious disease in which cancer cells first develop in the stomach. This eMedTV article presents an overview of this type of cancer, including information about its symptoms and how the disease is diagnosed and treated.
As this eMedTV article explains, the most common form of stomach cancer is gastric adenocarcinoma. This Web page discusses the different types of stomach cancer, which also include lymphomas and sarcomas.
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 signs and symptoms of the disease (such as heartburn), as well as advanced symptoms (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.
As this eMedTV article explains, the stages of stomach cancer include stages 0-IV and recurrent cancer. This resource offers detailed descriptions of each of these stages and explains how determining the stage of cancer can help when planning treatment.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may all be used to treat stomach cancer. This eMedTV article covers many aspects of treatment in detail, including side effects, follow-up care, clinical trials, and the importance of good nutrition.
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.
As this eMedTV segment explains, preventing stomach cancer involves avoiding risk factors that can be controlled (such as smoking). This article discusses strategies for preventing this illness, including avoiding a diet rich in smoked or salted 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 this disease 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 country. This eMedTV page discusses various research studies 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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