What Is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) is a malignant tumour that originates in the stomach lining. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer death. The majority are adenocarcinomas arising from the mucosa.
Causes and Risk Factors
Helicobacter pylori infection: The leading risk factor, present in over 80% of gastric cancers. Diet: High intake of salted, smoked or preserved foods. Low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Smoking: Doubles the risk of gastric cancer. Family history and genetic syndromes such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (CDH1 gene). Chronic atrophic gastritis and pernicious anaemia.
Symptoms
Early gastric cancer is often asymptomatic. Advanced symptoms include: persistent indigestion or heartburn, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, difficulty swallowing, and black or bloody stools. The non-specific nature of symptoms makes early diagnosis challenging.
Diagnosis
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Essential for diagnosis. Allows visualisation, biopsy and staging. CT scan: Assesses extent of local and distant disease. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): Evaluates tumour depth and lymph node involvement. PET scan: Used in selected cases for staging.
Treatment
Surgery: The only potentially curative treatment. Subtotal or total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is the standard. At Quenet Torrent Institute we perform minimally invasive gastrectomy using robotic and laparoscopic approaches. Perioperative chemotherapy: FLOT regimen is current standard for resectable cases. For peritoneal disease: HIPEC combined with cytoreductive surgery offers improved survival in selected patients with peritoneal metastasis.
Do you need a second opinion on gastric cancer? Our team at Quenet Torrent Institute specialises in complex gastrointestinal oncological surgery. Request a consultation today.