What is stomach cancer?
Stomach
cancer is a very rare type of cancer which is also known as gastric cancer. It
includes cancer cells developing in the walls of the stomach due to which there
is indigestion, persistent stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc.
Although the
causes are unknown, you are most likely to develop stomach cancer if you are
leading an unhealthy lifestyle, 55 years and above, spicy food intake, stomach
infections, etc.
Treatment for stomach cancer:
There are
many ways to treat or prevent stomach cancer which includes chemotherapy,
radiation or even surgery.
1.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment where medicines which are cytotoxic are used
to prevent the cancerous cells from growing or spreading. It is better to start
off with chemotherapy as it will reduce the amount if cells that need to be
removed through surgery. It also slows the growth as well as eases symptoms of
the cancer. Chemotherapy is done both
orally and by injecting the drug into the bloodstream.
2.
Surgery
If you are at an early stage, it is possible to completely cure stomach
cancer using surgery. It is a long and tedious process and sometimes you will
have to surgically remove your entire stomach which is called total
gastrectomy. These operations are done by making an incision in your stomach
and then the surgeon does the necessary steps.
3.
Radiation
Radiotherapy is when high energy radiating waves are used to destroy the
cancerous cells. It is not advisable to treat stomach cancer using this method
as there is a high possibility of damage to other organs located near the
stomach. However if it is a severe case of pain or bleeding through the
stomach, then it can be used with utmost care and precautions. Some side
effects include nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness, etc.
The team
includes our surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, social worker,
nurse, etc.
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