Stomach Cancer
Overview
The stomach is in the upper middle part of the belly, which stomach helps to break down and digest food. Stomach cancer can happen in any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers happen in the main part(body) of the stomach. This part is called the body of stomach.
Cancer cells in the stomach can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. They might start to grow deeper into the wall of the stomach. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer cells spread to another part of the body it's called metastasis
Where cancer starts in the stomach is one-factor healthcare providers think about when making a treatment plan. Other factors might include cancer's stage and the type of cells involved. Treatment often includes surgery to remove the stomach cancer. Chemotherapy may be used before and after surgery.
WHEN TO SEE DOCTOR ?
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
● Feeling bloated after eating
● Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
● Not feeling hungry when you would expect to be hungry
● Vomiting
● Losing weight
● Stools that look black
Stomach cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages. When they happen, symptoms might include indigestion and pain in the upper part of the belly. Symptoms might not happen until the cancer is advanced. Later stages of stomach cancer might cause symptoms such as feeling very tired, losing weight without trying, vomiting blood and having black stools.
Stomach cancer that spreads to other parts of the body is called metastatic stomach cancer. It causes symptoms specific to where it spreads. For example, when cancer spreads to the lymph nodes it might cause lumps you can feel through the skin. Cancer that spreads to the liver might cause yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. If cancer spreads within the belly, it might cause fluid to fill the belly. The belly might look swollen.