Recognising Early Symptoms of Stomach Cancer: Key Signs and Effective Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer

Also known as gastric cancer, cancer of the stomach is the fifth most prevalent cancer globally, with over one million new cases identified yearly, according to the American Cancer Society. In this post, we aim to discuss the early symptoms of stomach cancer, effective treatment choices, and how medical insurance can help you manage the financial costs of treatment.

What is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer starts with cancerous cells developing in the lining of the stomach. It may begin in any part of the stomach and spread to nearby organs, such as the esophagus, liver, pancreas, and intestines.

How does stomach cancer usually start?

Stomach cancer usually starts in the innermost layer of the stomach, the mucosa. The cancerous cells then grow and spread to the other layers of the stomach, including the muscle layer and the outer layer.

Types of stomach cancer

There are different types of stomach cancer, such as adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), and neuroendocrine tumours, including carcinoid ones.

Adenocarcinomas are the most common type, accounting for 90% of stomach cancer cases.  They begin in the cells that make up the stomach lining. Lymphomas, on the other hand, start in the immune system cells of the stomach, while GISTs start in the cells that control the movement of food through the stomach.

Stomach cancer symptoms

Stomach cancer often does not present with visible signs in its early stages, and thus, making it difficult to diagnose. However, as the cancer grows, it may trigger symptoms such as:

• Persistent indigestion or heartburn

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Feeling full after consuming small portions of food

• Nausea or vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Unintentional weight loss

• Fatigue

• Difficulty swallowing

• Blood in the stool

 

 

Causes of stomach cancer

The exact cause of stomach cancer is mostly unknown. However, certain risk factors may increase one's chances of developing it.

Stomach cancer risk factors

• Age: The risk of stomach cancer increases with age. Most cases are diagnosed in individuals over 65.

• Gender: Stomach cancer is more prevalent in men than women.

• Diet: A diet high in salt, pickled or smoked foods, and low in fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of stomach cancer.

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: This bacterium can cause stomach lining inflammation and increase the risk of stomach cancer.

• Smoking: Frequent smoking may increase the risk of stomach cancer.

• A family history of stomach cancer increases one’s chances of developing it.

• Chronic stomach inflammation, such as from gastritis or gastric polyps.

• Certain inherited genetic mutations, such as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome (HDGC).

 

 

Stomach cancer diagnosis

If your physician suspects that you have stomach cancer, a physical examination is usually conducted. Your doctor may order several tests, including:

• Blood tests: These may help to detect anaemia or other abnormalities.

• Imaging tests: These may consist of an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or PET scan to look for tumours or other abnormalities.

• Endoscopy: This minor procedure involves using a flexible tube with a light and camera to view the inside of the stomach and take tissue samples for biopsy.

• Biopsy: Here, a tissue sample is typically taken during an endoscopy to test for the presence of cancer cells.

 

 

Stages of stomach cancer

The main stages of stomach cancer are:

• Stage 0: Cancer cells are only found on the surface of the stomach’s inner lining.

• Stage I: During this stage, the cancer has grown into the deeper layers of the stomach lining.

• Stage II: Cancer has grown into the outer layer of the stomach lining and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

• Stage III: Cancer has spread to surrounding tissues and lymph nodes nearby.

• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to one’s organs, such as the liver, lungs, or bones.

 

 

Stomach cancer treatment

The treatment for stomach cancer depends on several factors, for instance, the stage and location of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and their personal preferences. Overall, treatment aims to eliminate the cancer and prevent it from spreading. Some common treatment options for stomach cancer include:

• Surgery: Stomach cancer treatment usually involves surgery. Depending on the cancer stage, the surgeon may remove the stomach, lymph nodes, and other organs.

• Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It may be utilised before or after surgery or as the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic stomach cancer.

• Radiation therapy exploits high-energy X-rays or radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be utilised before or after surgery, or in combination with chemotherapy.

• Targeted therapy uses genetic testing to identify specific mutations or biomarkers present in a patient's cancer cells. This data helps doctors selected a targeted therapy targeting specific genes or proteins involved in the cancer cell's growth and spread.

 

 

Stomach cancer treatment cost

The cost of stomach cancer treatment may vary widely, depending on the treatment and the cancer stage. For example, surgery and radiation therapy are less expensive than chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Nonetheless, the cost of treatment can be a significant burden for many people, especially if they do not have adequate health insurance coverage.

Fortunately, some insurance plans may cover all or part of the cost, depending on your specific policy. For example, Prudential offers comprehensive insurance policies like PRUMy Medical Plus and  PRUCancer X that can help cover cancer treatment costs, including stomach cancer.

More specifically, Prudential offers insurance for precision medicine curated to help policyholders with a cancer diagnosis afford and access groundbreaking cancer treatment advancements not covered by other insurance schemes. In fact, precision medicine leverages advanced biomedical tools and big-data analytics to help clinicians predict which treatment and prevention strategies to tailor for patients.

Stomach cancer survival rates

The American Cancer Society reports a 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer is about 70%. However, these rates can vary widely depending on the stage at diagnosis. For example, the 5-year survival rate for stage 1 stomach cancer is about 90%, while the 5-year survival rate for stage 4 is only about 5%.

However, it is imperative to remember that survival rates are largely based on population averages and do not necessarily reflect an individual's chance of survival. It is also important to remember that survival rates constantly evolve as new treatments are developed, and more data becomes available.

Stomach cancer prevention

While there is no apparent way to prevent stomach cancer, some habits may help reduce the risk of developing the disease. These include:

• Consuming a healthy diet that is high in fruits and veggies and low in processed and red meats

• Quitting smoking

• Limiting alcohol consumption

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Getting regular exercise

• Treating H. pylori infection if present

 

 

Conclusion

Stomach cancer can have a negative impact on one's life. However, early detection and prompt treatment will increase one's chances of beating it. Fortunately, with the advancement of treatments and the arrival of new treatment methods like precision medicine, the odds are better than ever.

Remember, people with a family history of stomach cancer or with certain genetic conditions that increase the risk of developing the disease may benefit from regular screening.