Blog Details

Gastric Cancer (GAC)

Gastric Cancer (GAC): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management

Gastric cancer (GAC), primarily gastric adenocarcinoma, arises from abnormal cell growth in the stomach lining. Early detection is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms, but treatment options vary by stage. Below is a synthesis of its key aspects, supported by current evidence.

Symptoms

Symptoms often mimic benign conditions and may not appear until advanced stages:

Early Stage	Advanced Stage
Indigestion, heartburn	Unexplained weight loss
Bloating after meals	Vomiting blood or black stools
Mild abdominal pain	Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
Loss of appetite	Fatigue, weakness, or jaundice
Early satiety	Abdominal swelling (ascites)

Red flags: Persistent symptoms for >2 weeks warrant medical evaluation34.

Causes and Risk Factors

1. Primary Causes:
   • Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection: Linked to gastric inflammation and cancer.
   • Genetic predisposition: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome.
2. Lifestyle Factors:
   • Diet: High intake of smoked, pickled, or salty foods; low consumption of fruits/vegetables14.
   • Smoking: Increases risk by 2–3×46.
3. Age and Gender:
   • Peak incidence: >60 years; males are more affected46.

Diagnosis

1. Imaging and Endoscopy:
   • Upper endoscopy: Gold standard for visualization and biopsy13.
   • CT scan: Assesses tumor spread and metastasis17.
2. Staging:
   • TNM system: Evaluates tumor size (T), lymph nodes (N), and metastasis (M)17.

Treatment

Treatment depends on stage and overall health:

Stage	Options
Early (Stage I)	Endoscopic resection or subtotal gastrectomy (partial stomach removal)23.
Localized (Stage II–III)	Total gastrectomy (entire stomach removal) + chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin, 5-FU)17.
Advanced/Metastatic	Chemotherapy, targeted therapy (e.g., trastuzumab for HER2+ tumors), or immunotherapy (e.g., pembrolizumab)17.

Supportive Care:

• Palliative therapy: Relieves pain, nausea, and dysphagia8.

Prognosis

• Early-stage: 5-year survival rates >90% with surgery13.
• Advanced-stage: Survival declines significantly; focus shifts to symptom management8.

Conclusion
Gastric cancer is a treatable malignancy if detected early. Reducing risk factors (e.g., smoking cessation, H. pylori eradication) and prompt evaluation of persistent symptoms are critical.

Consult with Our Team of Experts Now!
At DrStemCellsThailand (DRSCT)‘s Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Center of Thailand, we emphasize comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cells for managing various health conditions. If you have questions about Gastric Cancer or would like more information on our services, consult with our experts today!

Consult with Our Team of Experts Now!

References

1. Mayo Clinic: Stomach Cancer
2. Medpark Hospital: Gastric Cancer
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Stomach Cancer
4. Healthdirect: Stomach Cancer
5. WebMD: Stomach Cancer
6. Cleveland Clinic: Stomach Cancer
7. Mayo Clinic: Treatment
8. NHS Inform: Stomach Cancer