The stomach is a sack like organ that store food and starts to digest it by secreting gastric juice. Stomach cancer develops within the stomach.

• Helicobacter Pylori Infection.
• Diet that includes the following:-
  • Smoked food.
  • Salted fish and meat.
  • High starch foods.
  • Low fibre foods.
  • Pickled vegetables.
  • Eating less vegetables and fruits.
  • Food containing nitrates and nitrites.
  • Beverages containing nitrates and nitrites.
• Tobacco use.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Previous stomach surgery.
• Age 50 or older.
• Anaemic, vitamin B deficiency.
• Having blood type A.
• Family history of cancer.

Symptoms

Patients may complain of;

• Poor appetite, Heartburn and Nausea.
• Upper abdominal discomfort.
• Weight loss.
• Dark-colored stools.
• Vomiting blood.
• Abdominal swelling.

Diagnosis

• History is suggestive
• The doctor will recommend endoscopy. Biopsy will be taken to confirm the diagnosis of stomach cancer
• Endoscopic ultra sound and CTSCAN are used to stage the spread of stomach cancer.

Treatment

Treatment of stomach cancer depends on the stage (spread) and fitness of the patient. For very early stage( 0 & 1) endoscopic removal (resection) is recommended. Stage 2 & 3, surgery is recommended. For advanced cancer (Stage 4) chemotherapy and radiotherapy are recommended.

Palliative care (supportive care) is useful for patients with the advanced disease.

Multimodal treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) are beneficial to certain patients.