Stomach cancer is the third most deadly cancer in the world. Symptoms of this cancer can be easily ignored or confused with something simple, which can cause people to lose valuable time without seeking the expert help they need.
Statistics show alarming numbers of this ruthless disease that attacks men and women, young and old around the world. In 2012, according to data accumulated by the Globocan, 723,000 people of both sexes around the world perished from this disease. People of East Asia are most affected by this cancer worldwide. 24 men per 100,000 women die annually. The mortality of this cancer is also significantly higher in both sexes in Central and South America.
The victims of this disease can be as small as children 2 years of age and reaches averages of 13 to 35 years old.
According to WebMD, stomach cancer is classified according to the type of tissue in which it originated:
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Adenocarcinomas is the most common form of cancer- it begins in the lining of the glandular stomach.
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Lymphomas develops from lymphocytes, type of blood cells involved in the immune system.
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Sarcomas involves the connective tissue (vessels, muscles, fat or blood).
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Other types include carcinoid, small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
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Metastatic cancers such as breast cancer, melanoma and other primary sites of cancer are also seen in the stomach.
There are a number of medical conditions that can cause stomach cancer according to WebMD:
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Gastritis (H. pylori)
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Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency)
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Gastric polyps
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Chronic gastric ulcers
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Family history of gastric cancer
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A history of gastric surgery for noncancerous diseases such as peptic ulcer disease
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Blood type A
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Pre-malignant conditions such as intestinal metaplasia
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Genetic abnormalities
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Hereditary factors such as a history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis and colorectal cancer
Frequent use of smokeless tobacco and drinking alcohol are also factors that increase the chances of developing stomach cancer.
According to Cancer Net, in most cases, this type of cancer is not detected in time because the symptoms are very general and people do not pay attention until things are already at a worsened state.
The 7 most noticeable symptoms you should never ignore, according to Cancer Net are:
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Indigestion and heartburn
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Stomach pain or upset stomach
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Nausea and vomiting, particularly vomiting of solid food soon after eating
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Diarrhea or constipation
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Swelling of the stomach after eating
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Loss of appetite
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Feeling that food gets stuck in the throat while eating
Symptoms of advanced stomach cancer
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Weakness and fatigue
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Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
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Unexplained weight loss
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. "Stomach cancer may be associated with a high chance of survival if it is detected and treated early. Unfortunately, if not detected early, it is one of the most deadly cancers," says WebMD.
This article has been adapted and translated from the original, "7 síntomas de cáncer de estomago que DEBES conocer (es fácil ignorarlos y confundirlos)," which was published on Familias.com.
