Gastric cancer is a cancer in which cancer cells grow in the stomach. The cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably in the stomach. Cancer cells can be found in almost any part of the stomach but mostly cancer is present in the main body of the stomach which is the center of the stomach. In some cases, the cancer cells also affect the food pipe that delivers the food into the stomach. Stomach cancer can be treated with medications and radiotherapy before the treatment of surgery. Stomach cancer can be asymptomatic at the start and symptoms only start to appear in the advanced stages of the disease. In the early stages of disease, the symptoms are not worse and the cancer cells can be treated with chemotherapy but in the later stages of cancer, combinations of treatments are used to treat the aggressive nature of cancer cells. It is easier to treat the cancer if it is only present in the stomach and the prognosis is also very good. But when the cancer cells spread into the surrounding area, it makes it difficult to treat the cancer and in this case, the prognosis is also not good. According to the studies, stomach cancer starts when there is irritation of the inner lining of the stomach. The irritation of the inner layers causes these cells in the stomach to grow rapidly without any control. However, this may not be the cause in every case. The presentation of a disease is different in the individuals of even the same disease.
Some treatments for gastric cancer are used according to the stage of the disease. These are:
In this treatment, drugs are used to kill or limit the cancer cell growth. It can also be used before the surgery to shrink the tumor cells and also after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells if present. Chemotherapy can also be used for symptom relief in advanced stages of stomach cancer.
In this treatment, high-energy rays are used to target cancer cells. The external radiation can be used from the machine outside the body or a radioactive material is placed inside the tumor to kill the cancer cells with its radiation. This treatment can be used either alone or with chemotherapy to treat the aggressive nature of cancer cells in the advanced stages.
In this type of treatment, a special type of drug is used that kills the specific molecules. It either limits the nutrients to cancer cells or inhibits the specific pathways in the metabolism of the cells in the tumor. It is a more advanced type of treatment to cure cancer.
Immunotherapy drugs are used to boost the immune system. It prepares the body’s defense mechanism to recognize and attack cancer cells. It is very effective in some advanced stages of stomach cancers.
In the surgery treatment, the removal of cancerous tissue and nearby lymph nodes is performed. It involves using different approaches like subtotal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy which is performed according to the condition of each individual.
When the cancer spreads to the surrounding organs, it becomes impossible to cure the cancer. In this case, a treatment approach is used that focuses on symptom relief and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
It involves the medical history taken by the physician and physical exam performed in the clinical settings.
It is used to visualize the stomach lining and obtain biopsies for testing and then under laboratory conditions for any presence of cancer cells.
Imaging tests like CT, EUS, PET, and MRI: these imaging tests give a clear picture of the inside of the stomach.
These tests are performed to check for any tumor markers that give the idea of tumor cells in the body.
This is performed to check and assess cancer spread in the surroundings.
The cost of gastric cancer treatment in India ranges from ₹ 80,000 to ₹ 4,10,000. The cost varies according to the type of treatment and the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. The cost may also vary according to the facilities of hospitals.
Gastric Cancer Treatment Cost in India | Min in INR | Max in INR |
Chemotherapy | ₹ 44,000 | ₹ 59,000 |
Surgery | ₹ 2,45,000 | ₹ 4,10,000 |
Radiation Therapy | ₹ 99,000 | ₹ 2,00,000 |
Others | ₹ 2,40,000 | ₹ 3,25,000 |
Some of the symptoms of gastric cancer are:
Here are some of the risk factors of gastric cancer:
Helicobacter pylori infection
The infection of helicobacter pylori is a risk factor for developing gastric cancer. The infection causes swelling of the lining of the stomach that makes it prone to developing the cancer.
Age
There is a positive correlation between increasing age and the development of gastric cancer. People over 55 years old mostly develop gastric cancer.
Gender
Gastric cancer is more common in men than in women. Men over 55 years of age are more likely to develop gastric cancer.
Dietary factors
A diet that is rich in salty food and spices or the use of alcohol and smoking are the risk factors for developing gastric cancer.
Tobacco and alcohol use
Smoking and heavy alcohol use are the major risk factors for developing gastric cancer.
Obesity
People who are overweight and obese can develop gastric cancer at some stage of their lives.
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