tomach cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that starts in the stomach, which is a muscular pouch located in the upper part of your stomach and just below your ribs, where food goes into your stomach and stores. and then helps break it down and digest it.
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. Gastric cancers form in the main part of the stomach, but are often more likely to affect this part of the stomach. Where the long tube, the oesophagus, which helps in swallowing food, meets the stomach, this part is called the gastroesophageal junction.
It is better to treat any disease through timely diagnosis than to aggravate it. Let’s read in details to understand what is Stomach Cancer?
What is Stomach Cancer Screening?
Screening for cancer before a person shows any symptoms can help find cancer at an early stage when abnormal tissue or cancer is found on the skin, making it easier to treat. Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to develop certain types of cancer.
They also study the things we do and the things around us to see if they cause the disease. What screening tests should be used and how often should tests be done for cancer?
What is a Diagnostic Test?
Screening tests are given when you have no symptoms. If the result of the screening test is abnormal, you may need to have further tests to find out if you have the disease called a diagnostic test.
Information about Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Gastric cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the lining of the stomach. Older age and certain serious conditions increase the risk of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the lining of the stomach.
A J-shaped organ in the upper part of the stomach is the part of the digestive system that processes the nutrients vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water in the foods we eat and removes waste materials from the body. It also helps. Food moves from the throat to the stomach through a hollow muscular tube called the oesophagus.
The Stomach Wall: Three Important Layers
Imagine the stomach as a dynamic organ with its own protective layers, much like our body’s defense systems. Just like we have skin to protect us, the stomach has three layers to serve specific functions:
Mucosal Innermost Layer – The Stomach’s Protective Lining
Think of this layer as the stomach’s “inner armor.” It’s like the lining inside a coat. This innermost layer is in direct contact with the food we eat.
- Inside, it’s lined with a special type of tissue called gastric mucosa. This tissue contains tiny gastric glands.
- These glands release important substances like hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. These are like the stomach’s soldiers, breaking down food.
- To protect itself from the strong acids it creates, the mucosal layer has its own defense mechanism: a thick layer of mucus. This mucus acts as a shield, guarding against self-digestion.
Muscular Middle Layer – The Stomach’s Mixer and Blender
Picture this layer as the stomach’s “muscle machine.” It’s responsible for mixing and churning the food.
- It’s made up of three layers of smooth muscles that work together: the inner oblique, the middle circular, and the outer longitudinal layers.
- These muscles contract and relax in a coordinated dance, physically breaking down the food into smaller bits and mixing it with gastric juices. It’s like the stomach’s way of making a smoothie!
- This churning action helps digestion and transforms food into a semi-liquid substance called chyme.
- The muscular layer also helps move chyme from the stomach to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.
Serosa Outer Layer – The Stomach’s Protective Coat
Imagine this layer as the stomach’s “coat of armor.” It’s the outermost layer and provides protection and lubrication.
- The serosa is like the stomach’s shield, preventing it from sticking to other organs in the abdomen.
- It secretes a slippery fluid called serous fluid, which acts like lubricant, allowing the stomach to move freely without any friction.
So, just like our body’s layers work together to keep us safe and healthy, the stomach’s three layers—the mucosal innermost layer, the muscular middle layer, and the serosa outer layer—team up to ensure efficient digestion and protect the stomach from its own powerful digestive processes.
This amazing design lets the stomach do its job, breaking down food and extracting nutrients while staying structurally sound and healthy. Stomach cancer starts in the cells lining the mucosal layer and spreads through the outer layers as it grows.
You May Also Experience Other Symptoms
- Blood in your stool or vomit: If you see blood in your stool or when you vomit, it’s a sign that something might be wrong in your digestive system, and it’s crucial to get medical attention to figure out the cause.
- Vomiting: Frequent or persistent vomiting can be your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t quite right; it could be due to infections, bad food, or digestive issues.
- Heartburn: That burning feeling in your chest after a meal? It’s often a result of stomach acid sneaking into your oesophagus, causing discomfort.
- Feeling nauseous: Nausea can make you feel queasy or sick to your stomach, and it’s usually a sign that your body is reacting to something it doesn’t agree with, like a virus or an upset stomach.
- Loss of appetite: If you suddenly find yourself not wanting to eat or losing interest in food for an extended period, it could be your body’s way of telling you that something might be off, so it’s a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare provider.
- Unexplained weight loss: Dropping pounds without trying might sound good, but it can be a red flag for underlying health issues like infections, depression, or even more serious conditions like cancer.
- Belly button means abdominal pain near the navel: Pain near your belly button can be caused by a variety of things, such as indigestion, muscle strains, or even hernias.
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount: If you constantly feel overly full after eating just a little bit, it could be linked to digestive problems like a slow-emptying stomach or an ulcer, so it’s a good idea to chat with a healthcare expert to find out what’s going on.
Older Age and Certain Serious Conditions Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer
Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease is called a risk. A risk doesn’t mean you’ll get cancer. Not having risk factors doesn’t mean you won’t get cancer. If you think you may be at risk of stomach cancer, see your doctor right away. Risk factors for stomach cancer include the following symptoms:
Gastrointestinal infection:
When you get a gastrointestinal infection, it usually means that some unfriendly microbes like bacteria, viruses, or parasites have invaded your digestive system. This can lead to unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and tummy ache.
Acute gastric atrophy –
Thinning of the stomach lining due to long-term stomach inflammation: Imagine your stomach lining as a protective shield. When it becomes thin due to ongoing inflammation, it can affect how your stomach works and how well it absorbs nutrients.
Anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency:
Anaemia can make you feel tired and weak. It often happens when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin B12, which can occur if you’re not getting it from your diet or your body can’t absorb it properly.
Abdominal polyps:
Think of these as tiny, abnormal growths in your stomach or intestines. Sometimes they’re harmless, but in some cases, they can be precursors to more serious issues, even cancer, so they might need to be checked or removed.
Familial adenomatous polyposis:
This is a genetic condition that can run in families. It’s like having a higher chance of growing lots of polyps in your colon and rectum, which increases your risk of getting colon cancer.
Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome):
Just think of this as a family trait that can make you more likely to get colon and other cancers. Interestingly, it doesn’t always involve those pesky polyps in your colon.
Eating healthy foods but skimping on fruits and vegetables:
While eating healthily is a good start, not including enough fruits and veggies in your diet might mean missing out on essential nutrients. They’re like the body’s superheroes that help keep everything running smoothly.
Eating foods that haven’t been prepared or stored correctly and smoking, etc.:
Eating food that hasn’t been handled or stored properly can sometimes lead to tummy troubles, and smoking.? Well… It’s not a friend to your digestive system, and it can increase the chances of different types of cancer.
The test is used to screen for different types of infections when a person has no symptoms. Scientists study screening tests to find such individuals, and screening trials aim to show that.
The goal of screening is to find cancer early through symptoms. This process can help a person live longer or reduce a person’s chance of dying from the disease.
In some cases, it can increase the chance of recovery, if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage. So timely treatment can be possible.
