What is stomach cancer?
Cancer occurs when cells in the body start to grow uncontrollably.
Stomach cancers tend to develop slowly over a period of many years. Before an actual cancer forms, changes often occur in the inner lining (mucosa) of the stomach. These early changes almost never cause symptoms and therefore go undetected.
The stomach consists of five parts:
- Cardia: the first part, which is closest to the esophagus.
- Fundus: the upper part of the stomach near the cardia.
- Body: the main part of the stomach, located between the upper and lower portions.
- Antrum: the lower part (near the intestine), where food blends with gastric acid.
- Pylorus: the final segment of the stomach that acts as a valve, controlling the release of stomach contents into the small intestine.
Types of stomach cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma: The majority (approximately between 90% and 95%) of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas. A stomach cancer or gastric cancer is almost always an adenocarcinoma. These cancers develop from cells that constitute the innermost lining of the stomach, known as the mucosa.
- Lymphoma: These are cancerous tumors of the immune system that are sometimes detected in the stomach wall. Treatment and prognosis depend on the type of lymphoma.
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): These rare tumors originate from very early forms of cells in the stomach wall called interstitial cells of Cajal.
- Carcinoid tumors: These tumors develop from hormone-producing cells in the stomach. Most of these tumors do not spread to other organs.
Stomach cancer in Mexico.
Mexico has an intermediate risk for developing gastric adenocarcinoma. This tumor is the fourth leading cause of cancer globally and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Mexico among people 20 and older. According to GLOBOCAN, gastric adenocarcinoma is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Mexico among people 20 and older. Based on epidemiological evidence, Mexico falls into the category of countries with an intermediate incidence (between 10 and 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) of gastric cancer. However, it’s important to note that there are differences among the various regions within the country.
Stomach cancer in Latin America.
60% of new cases and deaths from stomach cancer in the Americas occur in men. The incidence of new cases and fatalities from stomach cancer is higher in Latin America and the Caribbean compared to North America, with men being particularly affected. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 11% of new cancer cases and 18% of deaths from cancer are due to stomach cancer, while in North America, only 3% of new cases and 4% of cancer deaths are attributed to stomach cancer. According to projections, in 2030, there will be over 138,000 new cases and 107,000 deaths from stomach cancer. By 2030, the number of stomach cancer cases and deaths will nearly double in Latin America and the Caribbean, for both men and women.
Stomach cancer worldwide.
Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and is also among the cancers with the highest impact in terms of disability-adjusted life years lost. Roughly 65% of gastric cancer patients are diagnosed with either locally advanced disease or metastasis, and most will eventually develop systemic disease as their illness progresses.
Symptoms.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vague discomfort in the abdomen, typically just above the navel.
- A sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a light meal.
- Heartburn or indigestion.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting, with or without blood.
- Abdominal swelling or fluid retention.
- Blood in stools.
- Low red blood cell count (anemia).
Treatments
Surgery: A procedure in which doctors remove cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy: Special drugs are used to shrink or kill cancer cells. These medications can come in the form of oral tablets or injections administered into your veins, or in some cases, both methods may be used.
Radiation therapy: High-energy rays (similar to X-rays) are used to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: Drugs are used to help a person’s immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
Targeted therapy: Medications are used to attack changes in cancer cells.