This is the ideal month to raise awareness about gastric cancer.

Cancer is a concerning disease that stems from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It can develop in nearly any location within the body. November is National Gastric Cancer Awareness Month.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a disease in which cancer cells form in the stomach lining. The stomach wall comprises three layers of tissue: the mucosal layer, the muscular layer, and the serosal layer. Stomach cancer begins in the cells lining the mucosal layer and spreads through the outer layers as it grows.

With November being National Gastric Cancer Awareness Month, it is essential to educate the community on the signs of stomach cancer and how the condition can be addressed.

Most stomach cancers—about 90 percent—are adenocarcinomas, cancers that form in mucus-secreting glands. About 5 percent are lymphomas, cancers that form in the immune system. Additionally, some stomach tumors are of the carcinoid type, a slow-growing type of neuroendocrine cancer.

Stromal tumors of the stomach begin in supporting connective tissue and are treated differently from gastric cancer.

Contact the best and most senior oncologist, Dr. Kankati Srinivas Rao, in Hyderabad for the best gastric cancer treatment.

What is stomach cancer?

Your stomach is an essential organ in the upper abdominal region and is where the foods you eat are held and digested. When cancer forms in the internal lining of the stomach, it is called stomach cancer or gastric cancer.

What are the warning signs of gastric cancer?

Cancer of the stomach is slow-growing and could take years to develop. In the early stages, cancer of the stomach generally doesn't carry any signs or symptoms, but individuals who do experience symptoms often have:

• Swelling in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent queasiness
• Heartburn
• Decreased appetite

If you or someone you love experiences any of these symptoms, getting expert care from a digestive health specialist as soon as possible is essential. Contact the best gastrointestinal specialist near you.

What are the risk factors associated with stomach cancer?

Certain patients have a higher probability of developing cancer of the stomach. These risk factors sometimes include having an inherited condition like Lynch syndrome. This condition also increases the risk of colorectal, uterine, and pancreatic cancer. Further factors that might elevate the risk of stomach cancer are as follows:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Occupational exposure
• Previous stomach surgery
• family history of gastric cancer
• Being over the age of 55
• Being male
• Alcohol use

If you have an elevated risk of developing gastric cancer, you must consult a gastroenterologist to learn about undergoing routine stomach cancer screenings, such as an upper endoscopy.

What are the surgical procedures for gastric cancer?

Gastric cancer is generally addressed via a surgical procedure. When the malignant tissue has been excised, radiation therapy and chemotherapy could also be recommended to help decrease the chance of cancer recurrence. There are three primary surgical procedures for removing gastric cancer:

• Total gastrectomy: During this surgical procedure, the entire stomach and surrounding lymph nodes are completely removed, and the small bowel recreates a new stomach.
• Subtotal (or partial) gastrectomy: A portion of the stomach is taken out, and the surrounding areas are reconnected. A partial gastrectomy might also include removing surrounding lymph nodes or other tissue.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection: With this surgery, a flexible tube known as an endoscope is used to remove the cancerous area in the stomach.

Find gastric cancer treatment near you.

In honor of November being Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, we wish to help educate the public about this concerning health condition. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, know that expert care is available.

Get in touch with the best and most senior oncologist, Dr. Kankati Srinivas Rao, in Hyderabad for the best gastric cancer treatment.