Stomach Cancer
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Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is a network of cancer hospitals offering a combination of conventional cancer treatments and complementary medicine therapies.
This page offers a brief introduction to stomach cancer and links to stomach cancer treatments available at CTCA.
Stomach Cancer Facts
Approximately 24,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of stomach cancer occurrences in the United States has decreased over the last 60 years. The number of stomach cancer deaths has also fallen in the U.S. over the same period of the time.
Diagnostic Tests
There are several tests used in stomach cancer diagnosis. One test used to diagnose stomach cancer is an upper gastrointestinal tract x-ray. This stomach cancer diagnostic test is sometimes called an upper GI x-ray. In this stomach cancer test, the patient drinks a barium solution. The barium is used to outline the stomach on the x-ray. This stomach cancer test can also help the physician find other tumors or abnormal areas.
Another stomach cancer diagnostic test is called a fecal occult blood test. This test is use to check for blood in the stool, which can be a symptom of stomach cancer. However, having blood in the stool does not necessarily mean that you have stomach cancer.
An endoscopy is another test used in stomach cancer diagnosis. This test is conducted by passing a thin tube into the stomach. This tube allows the physician to look directly at the walls of the stomach. The physician can also use the tube to remove a sample of tissue. The tissue sample can be used for a biopsy. A biopsy is a sure way to tell if you have a form of cancer.
Stomach Ulcers
Research shows that a person's risk of developing stomach cancer is not necessarily increased because of stomach ulcers. Some studies do suggest that a type of bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori may be an important risk factor for stomach cancer.
