As we all know, the stomach provides help in breakage and digestion of food we eat. It is located right below the ribs. When cells multiply, mature and die naturally everything will be fine. If there are any disturbances in the stomach it is known as stomach cancer or gastric cancer. It mostly appears in the inner wall of the stomach where the food gets absorbed by mixing with some acids and digestive juices. Research suggests that the stomach cancer most arises when the food with carcinogens are taken or by the inflammation due to chronic substances in the inner wall of the stomach. That results in abnormality towards immune response and DNA damage leads to the proliferation of cells causing tumor formation.Among the world, it is the fifth cancer that is causing death.Mostly stomach cancer occurs in the stomach if left untreated, it will spread to the other parts of the body.
What do Helicobacter bacterial infections cause ?
The bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) grows in the inner wall of the stomach and comes inside the stomach by contaminated food and water. Basically this bacteria will not cause any discomfort but in some individuals it may cause inflammation, ulcers lead to cancer.
What does peptic ulcer disease mean?
The inner wall of the stomach/ intestine that contains a sore or opening.Ulcers are of two types they are :
- Gastric ulcer: In the stomach
- Duodenal ulcer: The part of intestine
The bacteria H. pylori and long-term usage of non steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSID’S) may produce both stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease.The drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSID forms ulcers by creating disturbance in the inner lining of the stomach .There are factors for stomach cancers and peptic ulcer disease that can be controlled or not.0
Which risk factors can be controlled?
- Malnutrition: A food with heavy smoking, fermented , pickles, ultra processed foods.
- Bacterial infection: H.pylori infection can be recovered by using antibiotics.
- Obesity: excess body fat.
- Consumption of alcohol and smoking.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances.
Which risk factors cannot be controlled?
- Age above 55.
- Surgical removal of stomach.
- Family history.
- Inherited cancer syndromes.
- Usage of medications.
What are the problems we face in both stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease?
- Feeling full stomach after eating food.
- Burning sensation on stomach
- Vomiting
- Indigestion+
- Feeling weak
- Feeling tired
- Colored stool ( black)
- Heartburn
- Burping
- Not feeling hungry
- Heavy weight loss
- Vomiting with blood
- Difficulty in swallowing the food
This can be detected based on the physical examination by the expert doctors and followed by the tests. Staging of the cancer depends on stage 0 -5. At stage 0 the cancer is not spread and is on the inner side of the stomach whereas at stage 5 the cancer cells spreads to the other parts of the body. The tests that are used for the detection are the following:
- Endoscopy: The patient is inserted with a thin tube with a small camera to view from the month to the stomach. Some surgical operations are allowed to take a sample to test for cancer cells.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: That helps in taking the images, tells the spread of cancer cells from the stomach inner lining to inner wall.
- Tests with radiology: Barium swallow, CT scan, MRI, PET scan. Barium swallow is swallowing a metal compound as fluid that helps in the visibility of the inner stomach wall. The PET scan helps in the detection of spread in cancer cells throughout the other body parts.
- Blood tests:The results provide information of how organs function. Difficulty in functioning of organs conforms to the spread of cancer cells to the other parts of the body.
- Laparoscopy: A process in which the tiny camera is sent into the abdomen to view the abnormality and to detect the spreading of cancer.
- Stool test: Stool will be collected and was sent to the lab for the presence of H.pylori .
- Breath test: H.pylori helps urea to break down into carbon dioxide. The urea pill is taken. The breath is sent to the lab for the presence of higher amounts of carbon dioxide.
Medications that may help to treat stomach cancer and peptic ulcer diseases:
Antibiotics : The medication that helps in killing the bacteria H.pylori and prevents infection
H2 blockers: It helps in blocking the preparation of acid in the stomach. Hormone histamine helps in the acid preparation.
Inhibitors: The proton pump inhibitors help in lowering the level of acid in the inner wall and duodenum.
Medication: It helps in the protection of mucous lining in the stomach by using medicines that protect mucosal.
Antacids: It neutralizes the production of acids in the stomach.
Lifestyle changes: Stop chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol.
Cryoprotective drugs:These drugs provide protection and coating for the wall of intestines.
Most of the ulcers can be cured with proper medication once the H.pylori bacterium is killed. It may help in fighting towards the cancer cells.
The stomach cancer and peptic ulcers are not that easily prevented but can be treated if detected early.Based on the cancer cells growth the doctors may suggest the surgery for the removal of the cancer cells or tumors.Kindly don’t avoid talking about the problems you’re facing to the doctors. We are provided with the best doctors in our PUNARJAN AYURVEDA. They will provide you with further details about the cancer, its signs, treatment and other information.