Gastric Cancer
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What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, occurs when cancer cells form in the lining of the stomach. There are a number of different types of gastric cancer that can occur. The most common of these cancers is adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma can be broken down into two types. Type 1 usually occurs in the part of the stomach closest to the small intestine and often results from chronic infection or diet. Type 2 can occur throughout the stomach and is often the result of genetic factors.
Other types of gastric cancer that can affect the stomach are soft tissue sarcomas. The most common type of these cancers is leiomyosarcoma. Other types of gastric cancers include gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and lymphoma. GISTs are fairly rare tumors of the GI tract.
If you are looking for more information about gastric cancer and the treatment options that are available, please keep reading. You can also call 1-800-615-3055 and speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. They can help provide you with more information on gastric cancer and whether Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is the right treatment facility for you. You can also chat online about gastric cancer anytime.
Risk Factors for Developing Gastric Cancer
There are a number of factors that may indicate an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. These factors include:
- Age (the risk of developing gastric cancer increases with age)
- Smoking cigarettes
- Chronic gastritis
- Gastric polyps
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in smoked and salted foods
- A family history of gastric cancer
- Gender (men are more likely to develop gastric cancer)
- A history of stomach disease
Gastric Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages of the disease, gastric cancer symptoms may include:
- A loss of appetite
- A bloated feeling that occurs after eating
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Nausea
As gastric cancer moves into the more advanced stages, possible symptoms may include:
- Blood in the stool
- Stomach pain
- Jaundice
- Trouble swallowing
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
Although these may be the result of other medical conditions, if you are experiencing any of these potential gastric cancer symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor. Only a medical professional can determine if these symptoms are the result of gastric cancer or another disease.
Gastric Cancer Treatment Options
At CTCA, we understand that a gastric cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with gastric cancer, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the disease and the treatment options that are available. This will help you to better understand and evaluate your situation. Gastric cancer treatment at CTCA can be broken down into two categories, conventional and complementary therapies. The actual combination of the treatment options used to treat gastric cancer will depend on a number of factors including the stage of the disease and the health of the patient receiving the treatment.
Conventional Gastric Cancer Treatment Options
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the most common types of conventional gastric cancer treatment used. Surgery for gastric cancer involves surgically removing the cancer, and in some cases the tissue surrounding the cancer. Chemotherapy involves treating the cancer with drugs designed to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy involves using high-energy rays to shrink or kill cancer cells.
Complementary Gastric Cancer Treatment Options
In addition to providing patients with the most up-to-date conventional treatment options, CTCA also offers complementary and alternative therapies and medicines to help provide patients with a treatment plan that fits their unique needs and cares for the whole person. Complementary treatments offered include nutritional therapy, pain management, naturopathy medicine, physical therapy, and others.
CTCA integrates these complementary and alternative medicines together with traditional cancer treatments to create a comprehensive treatment plan - all under one roof. Our dedicated team of doctors and professionals will work with you to create a treatment plan that is designed you to meet your unique treatment needs. We will work with you and help you understand your treatment options so that you can be an active participant in choosing the best treatment plan for you.
If you are exploring your gastric cancer treatment options and would like to learn more about our innovative treatment programs, call 1-800-615-3055 and talk with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. You can also click here to enter an online chat. This OIS staff is available around the clock to answer your questions.
CTCA is on the leading edge of cancer treatment. We are continually working to advance our treatment options through the aggressive research of new therapies and techniques, and the implementation of these results. At CTCA, fighting cancer is all we do. We understand that you are fighting for your life and we rally our team around you to deliver compassionate, integrative cancer care for your mind, body, and spirit.