Stomach cancer Gastric cancer, as the name suggests, is cancer that occurs in the stomach. Initially, the cancer cells originate from the epithelial cells of the stomach mucosa, with the most common pathological type being adenocarcinoma. The 5-year survival rate after surgery for early gastric cancer can reach 90.9% to 100%. However, effective treatment methods are still lacking for advanced gastric cancer, and even with aggressive comprehensive treatment, the 5-year survival rate remains less than 30%.

Gastric cancer, as the name suggests, is cancer that occurs in the stomach. Initially, cancer cells originate from the epithelial cells of the stomach mucosa, and the most common pathological type is adenocarcinoma. The 5-year survival rate after surgery for early gastric cancer can reach 90.9% to 100%. However, effective treatment options are still lacking for advanced gastric cancer, and even with aggressive comprehensive treatment, the 5-year survival rate remains less than 30%.

Chronic inflammation, atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and other lesions, gradually transform into gastric cancer under the influence of factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, unhealthy diet, and adverse environmental conditions.

Infection Factors

Helicobacter pylori infection has common epidemiological characteristics with gastric cancer. Currently, H. pylori infection is classified as a Class I carcinogen.

Environmental and Dietary Factors

Epidemiological studies suggest that pickled vegetables, smoked and moldy foods, as well as excessive salt intake, can increase the risk of gastric cancer. Additionally, living in volcanic rock areas, high peat soil, excessive nitrate in soil and water, imbalance of trace elements, or chemical pollution can directly or indirectly increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Genetic Factors

10% of gastric cancer patients have a genetic predisposition. Individuals with a family history of gastric cancer have a 2-3 times higher incidence of gastric cancer than the general population.

Prodrome

There are generally no obvious prodromal symptoms, but patients with precancerous lesions (such as gastric ulcers) may exhibit symptoms of the precancerous lesion, such as heartburn, indigestion, and even epigastric pain.

Early Symptoms

80% of early gastric cancer patients are asymptomatic. Some may experience mild discomfort such as bloating, indigestion, and upper abdominal pain, often mistaken for common gastritis and overlooked.

Intermediate Symptoms

The most common symptom in intermediate-stage patients is upper abdominal pain. Some patients may also experience anemia, loss of appetite, and palpable mass in the upper abdomen. The pain of gastric cancer is often irregular, unrelated to eating, mainly located in the left upper abdomen, and in a few cases, may be associated with eating due to concurrent gastric ulcer symptoms.

Late Symptoms

The main symptoms in the late stage continue to be upper abdominal pain, which intensifies, and may include vomiting blood, black stools, and cachexia. Minor bleeding presents as black stools, while significant bleeding can lead to vomiting of fresh blood. Most late-stage patients experience weight loss.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is mainly used to improve post-operative complications, alleviate adverse reactions to radiation and chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life for patients. It can be used as an adjunct to conventional treatment for gastric cancer. In addition, when gastric cancer patients experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and abdominal distention, regular oral traditional Chinese medicine treatment and external treatment such as acupuncture may yield good results. It is important to note that close monitoring of liver and kidney function is necessary during traditional Chinese medicine treatment for gastric cancer to prevent liver and kidney damage, which could affect conventional treatment.

Develop a positive and healthy lifestyle and engage in moderate physical activity.

Quit drinking and smoking, adopt healthy eating habits, mainly by eating small meals and chewing food slowly, and avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods.

Develop the habit of observing stool, and if black stools are noticed, it should be investigated whether there is gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gradually accept cancer as a disease, eliminate the psychological fear caused by gastrectomy; partial gastrectomy will not have a significant impact on the body.

The psychological impact of cancer on anyone is significant. When diagnosed with gastric cancer, family and friends should provide psychological support to reduce the psychological impact on the recovery from the disease.

Furthermore, postoperative patients must avoid the misconception that surgery is a cure-all. It is essential to undergo regular follow-up examinations after surgery to monitor changes in the condition and to address signs of recurrence early on.