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Stomach cancer

What is Stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer or gastric cancer is cancer developing from the lining of the stomach. Early symptoms may include heartburn, upper abdominal pain, nausea and loss of appetite. The most common cause is infection by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which accounts for more than 60% of cases. --> Other common causes include eating pickled vegetables and smoking. About 10% of cases run in families and between 1% and 3% of cases are due to genetic syndromes inherited from a person's parents such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. Most cases of stomach cancers are gastric carcinomas. This type can be divided into a number of subtypes. Lymphomas and mesenchymal tumors may also develop within the stomach. Most of the time, stomach cancer develops through a number of stages over a number of years. Diagnosis is usually by biopsy done during endoscopy. This is then followed by medical imaging to determine if the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Japan and South Korea, two countries that have high rates of disease, screen for stomach cancer.

A Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of cancer as does the stopping of smoking. There is tentative evidence that treating H. pylori decreases the future risk. Treatments may include some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. If treated late, palliative care may be advised. Outcomes are often poor with a less than 10% 5-year survival rate globally. This is largely because most people with the condition present with advanced disease.

Globally stomach cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer making up 7% of cases and 9% of deaths. In 2012 it occurred in 950,000 people and caused 723,000 deaths. This is believed to be due to the eating of less salted and pickled foods as a result of the development of refrigeration as a method of keeping food fresh. Stomach cancer occurs most commonly in East Asia and Eastern Europe and it occurs twice as often in males as in females.

Questions and answers on "Stomach cancer"

 
hi my friend as been given 2 wks to live stomache cancer he is in hospital, and his lungs collapsed, tonight his poop tar black how long do you think we will have him with us its heart breaking to watch he hasn't been for a poop for wks and has had 3 black tar poops since yesterday
Stomach cancer with metastasis to lungs resulting in collapsed lungs and advanced disease to the extent that the patient is bleeding inside passing black stools, has very poor prognosis. Survival is limited. Exact time frame is difficult to give. The treating doctors would give you a better...
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I am having my abdomen getting bigger all the time, I have a history of stomach cancer with it being removed. I have not gained any weight as of recent. I gained wt after my car accident from 130# to 212#, I currently weigh 212#, but abdomen seeming to get larger with no wt. gain. Periods gone since stomach cancer
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern. You may have ascites or other cause for stomach enlargement. You should go for ultrasound abdomen. It will give you exact diagnosis. Then you should take treatment accordingly. Hope I have answered your question, if you...
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Hi my father had stomach cancer, it was not spread to any other organ but lymph nodes were affected, so they staged it as stage 4. There was surgery in XXXXXXX 12 and 6 sessions of chemo completed in july '12 and he was back to normal apetite and life within a span of 2 - 3 months. Again in Feb'2013 he had stomache ache, abdominal peritonitis, and pus formation in the stomach near the belly button, doctor said it is a recurrence of stomach cancer, but non of diagnosis confirmed it, there was evidence of cancer found in CT scan, ultrasound, FNSC , finally they found the fluid to be positive of tuberculosis. He had small surgery to drain out the pus, more than 1 kg of pus oozed out within a weeks period. Still he has the drain pipe and small amount of serum is coming out. He could not even drink a spoonfull of water, he had lot bile reflux when he was admitted. Now after the surgery he is able to eat in small quantities and has been put on tuberculosis medication. Doctors are still not sure of the diagnosis. They have asked to continue with TB medicine for 2 months an dthen again reconduct the tests. What is the outlook?
Dear Ma'am,

Sorry to hear about your father's condition. In India, tuberculosis is very common and we have seen quite a few cases getting affected by abdominal tuberculosis after cancer (because cancer lowers the body's immunity to fight infections). As tests during the surgery have confirmed the...
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I would like to draw your attention that my brother has been suffering for stomach cancer . So we like to get appointment from professor of stomach cancer. Could you please inform details regarding this case. Md. Shohidul Islam, Kushtia Bangladesh
hi
stomach cancer is common now and by doing regular treatment ,we can control or remove it
for this u need to consult oncologist and gastrologis
depend upon the stage and spread of cancer there are different type of treatment modality like surgical removal,radiotherapy,chemotherapy etc.
advise...
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im 35 height 5,3 and hav been suffering from chronic stomach pains n constant loose motions for passed 1 yr. watevr i eat is passed out immediately within 20 mins. got my gall bladder removed 4yrs ago. hav a history of stomach cancer in family. wat shud i do?
You might be having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Get a stool RE done and for ova & cysts for 3 days. If it comes out to be normal. U r having IBS
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I m 30 year old male, i feel that my bowel system is having some probleb, i feel 3 - 4 times to go toilet, i have dne my stool test, & found followins: REaction : Acidic, mucus: in traces, pus clees 15-20 , epithelial cells 2-3, & bacteria , wht does it indicatte, ( just 6 months before my father expired due to stomach cancer.)
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

Stool test indicates infection in intestine.
It is indicated by pus cells,bacteria in stool.Is is also indicated by increased frequency of stool.
You need culture of stool so that proper antibiotics can be prescribed.
You should take plenty of fluids.

Hope I have...
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Hi my father has recently been diagnosed a diabetic; this week he hasn't had a bowel movement in 3 days; his stomach was sore last 3 days hasn't felt like eating; hasn't eaten anything out of the ordinary has been losing some weight but not from his middle mostly from shoulders and chest; suffers from high blood pressure also a long time; history of family; his father diabetic died from stomach cancer age 67 my father is 74
Hi and welcome to HCM. Thanks for the query.
his symptoms are nonspecific and it can indicate various gastrointestinal disorders including cancers so it would be wise to do more detailed gastroenetrologic work up including endoscopic procedures to rule out cancers. however,most commonly these...
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I have had vomits, acid taste in my mouth, diarreah ,for over 2 weeks, is either no bowel movement or diarreah, was told I migth have a ulcer in my stomach, I am not pregnant, had blood work to confirm it,is there any chance I could have stomach cancer since that type of cancer does run in my family?
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Some types of cancer are genetic and may be found in some but not all members of a family. You must attend a cancer screening clinic and also take documents regarding cancers found in your relatives. The constipation and diarrhea pattern needs further evaluation and an...
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I vomited old blood a month ago, had a scope done, didnt get results yet. but yesterday i vomited up a little more old blood...the er doctor said my stomach wall is inflamed but no ulcers ...cells look funny... blood test showed low hymaglobin...what do you think...i am worried about stomach cancer ...i also tested positive for h py lori but already went through a week of antibiotics for that.
Sharbat Faulad 2 tsf tds, jawarish bisbasa, jawarish shahi 6-6 gm twice daily for 15 days. hope get solution, if further problem exist consult your physician.
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hello doc....my mum is facing little stomach pain since last two days after having her meals. also she is finding the spices of her meals coming back to her throat.she is 49 right now with probably no stomach cancer or ulcer family history.is she is suffering from stomach cancer..??
Hi dear
Welcome for query of your mother.

@ As per the narration, these are not definite symptoms suggestive of
cancer.
@ There may be various reasons as gastritis with or without ulcer, intestine
infection or others.

@ Primary guidelines at present

- Allow her more liquids.
- Let her consume...
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