Cancer of the Stomach

The stomach is a sac-like organ between the end of the oesophagus and the small intestine.

Symptoms

One of the first symptoms of stomach cancer is indigestion and for this reason it usually remains unnoticed. In some cases of cancer of the stomach, indigestion may be associated with the feeling of heartburn and slight nausea. Loss of appetite and mild stomach pains are also warning signs to be noted. Vomiting, weight loss and pain are late signs, as is blood in the stools which can be either red or black in colour.

Diagnosis

Since pernicious anaemia often leads to stomach cancer, a blood test is urgently required when indigestion persists. So is a test for the amount of acid in the stomach, because lack of acid is frequently associated with stomach cancer. As already stated the stools must be examined for the presence of blood.

Since the stomach outline shows up clearly on X-ray examination of a contrast-filled stomach (barium meal), cancer of the stomach is usually diagnosed by this procedure. Further examinations include gastroscopy, when an instrument using a flexible tube with a light and a series of mirrors, is passed through the mouth and oesophagus into the stomach, and a biopsy.

Treatment

The standard treatment for cancer of the stomach is surgery which may mean removing part or all of the stomach. Following this, if indigestion and other difficulties are to be avoided, it will be advisable to eat several small meals every day, instead of having two large ones.

Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have so far not made any worthwhile contribution to the treatment of stomach cancer and are therefore not used.