Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the stomach and can affect any part of the stomach.
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Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a disease that is fairly common worldwide but less common in the UK. Over 700,000 cancer-related deaths are caused by stomach cancer worldwide but around 5,000 people develop stomach cancer every year in the UK.
Stomach cancer is more common in older people. Around half of stomach cancers develop in people aged 75 or over. Men are nearly twice as likely to get the disease compared to women.
There are many different types of stomach cancer. The vast majority of stomach cancers develop in the cells of the stomach lining and are known as adenocarcinomas.
In this type of cancer, the cells forming the inner lining of the stomach become abnormal and start to divide forming a mass (tumour) in part of the stomach.
Other, less common types of stomach cancer include:
Medical experts are not sure why some stomach cells become cancerous. It is not known why only a few people develop stomach cancer. However, there are some key factors that may increase your risk of developing it. These include:
In the early stages of stomach cancer, symptoms may not occur at all. For this reason, many people with stomach cancer are not diagnosed until it is already advanced. Several symptoms of stomach cancer also are seen in other less serious conditions. So stomach cancer may be difficult to recognize at first.
Early Stomach Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of early stomach cancer can include:
Advanced Stomach Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of advanced stomach cancer can include:
Since the symptoms of stomach cancer are similar to other gastric conditions, doctors can’t usually tell if you have stomach cancer without doing tests. These tests may include the following:
Staging of Stomach Cancer
If tests show that you have stomach cancer, your specialists will recommend further tests to find out how advanced it is. This is called staging.
The ‘stage’ of cancer describes the size of cancer, and whether it has spread beyond its original site. If doctors know the stage of cancer, this helps them to decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Diagnostic same-day procedures at OneWelbeck
Our leading gastroenterology specialists have diagnosed and managed many patients with stomach cancer. Our Digestive Health Centre at OneWelbeck in London is equipped with cutting-edge technology to provide you with fast, high-quality diagnostic services. Most of these services can be conducted as day-case procedures, without the need for overnight stay. It may take a few days for the results of laboratory tests from a biopsy to become available.
If stomach cancer is found at an early stage, then treatment for this condition can be successful. Without treatment, stomach cancer can spread to other parts of the body or organs, such as your liver. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are all treatments for stomach cancer.
At OneWelbeck, you can discuss your stomach cancer treatments options with a gastro-intestinal specialist. They will be able to give you details about those that may be more suitable for your individual personal and healthcare needs.
Surgery
The main treatment for stomach cancer is surgery. If your cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it may be possible to completely remove the cancer with surgery.
The type of surgery you need for cancer of the stomach depends on which part of the stomach the cancer is in. These surgeries are:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. This treatment can be given before stomach surgery to make the tumour easier to remove, and after surgery to stop cancer cells from coming back.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy can be used to slow the growth and ease the symptoms of advanced stomach cancer, such as pain, bleeding, and eating problems. Radiotherapy can also be given after stomach cancer surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain.
Can stomach cancer be cured?
Without treatment, stomach cancer is likely to get larger, and spread to other parts of the body. If it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, then there is a good chance of curing stomach cancer with surgery. If it is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, then chemotherapy and radiation can also be used to slow the cancer growth and manage the condition.
However, in the UK, most cases of stomach cancer are not diagnosed at an early stage, which is why it is important to investigate any signs of stomach cancer through qualified specialists for an accurate diagnosis.
What follow up will I need after treatment?
After your treatment has finished, you will get regular check-ups at the hospital. These may be every 3 months or so to start with. These tests will usually include a physical examination and scans or X-rays. The appointments will gradually become less frequent but will probably continue for several years.
We have brought together a group of leading colorectal and general surgeons and gastroenterologists to create our Digestive Health team. With over 300 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.