Normal cell cascade undergoes a step-by-step change and turns into cancer and damages our body uncontrollably. This change in the cells covering the surface of the stomach initiates stomach cancer. It is the 4th most common type of cancer and ranks 2nd in cancer-related deaths. Innocuous stomach ailments such as gastritis and ulcers cause the diagnosis of stomach cancer to be delayed and treatment to become more difficult or even impossible.
pylori infection, high salt consumption, smoked food, smoking, obesity and less movement are modifiable risk factors that determine the risk group.
A blood group, male gender and genetics (e-cadherin, BRCA1-2 mutations) constitute the unchangeable risk group.
Dyspeptic symptoms manifested by discomfort in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, feeling of satiety, tension, loss of appetite and pain are the most common findings and are ignored by patients. As a result, stomach cancer, which can be diagnosed at an early stage, progresses and starts to spread to other organs.
Weight loss is the most important symptom and the patient should be evaluated by further examination without losing time.
Especially in people with digestive system disorders, the chance of early diagnosis and complete treatment is high thanks to endoscopic imaging. A delayed diagnosis reduces the chance of treatment.
Computerised Tomography or PET scan is performed for people diagnosed with gastroscopy to get information about the extent of the spread.
Treatment is initiated with laparoscopic and open surgery. Depending on the location of the cancer, the surgical procedure is completed by removing part or all of the stomach. In the ongoing process, treatment is continued with chemo-radiotherapy, i.e. medication/radiation.
