From the Guidelines
Stomach cancer often presents with vague symptoms that can be easily overlooked, including dysphagia, asthenia, indigestion, vomiting, weight loss, early satiety, and/or iron deficiency anemia, as noted in the most recent study 1.
Presentation of Stomach Cancer
The symptoms of stomach cancer can be non-specific and may not lead to urgent investigations. According to the study published in the Annals of Oncology 1, common signs and symptoms of stomach cancer include:
- Dysphagia
- Asthenia
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Early satiety
- Iron deficiency anemia These symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, making it challenging to detect stomach cancer in its early stages.
Importance of Early Detection
Early detection of stomach cancer is crucial, as it can significantly improve treatment outcomes. The study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1 highlights the importance of biomarker testing, including HER2 status, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, in the management of stomach cancer.
Diagnosis
Endoscopy with biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing stomach cancer, as stated in the study 1. The procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera and biopsy forceps into the stomach to collect tissue samples. The study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1 also recommends the use of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) to identify infiltrated regions of the gastric wall.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for stomach cancer include:
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Chronic gastritis
- Smoking
- High salt intake
- Family history
- Certain genetic conditions These risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer, and individuals with these risk factors should be aware of the symptoms and undergo regular medical evaluations.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer will be ended here.
From the Research
Presentation of Stomach Cancer
- Stomach cancer often does not cause symptoms until it becomes advanced 2
- Non-specific symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, pain, and loss of appetite are common in patients with stomach cancer 3
- The disease is usually encountered in its late stages, making early detection crucial for better patient outcomes 2
Common Symptoms and Comorbidities
- Weight loss, fatigue, pain, and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms of stomach cancer 3
- Cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, diabetes, and previous diagnosed cancer are the most common comorbidities in patients with stomach cancer 3
Importance of Early Detection
- Early detection of resectable gastric cancer is crucial for better patient outcomes 2
- Strategies of early diagnosis through population-based surveillance programs have been demonstrated to be effective in lowering the morbidity and mortality related to stomach cancer 4
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Endoscopic resection is the gold standard for lesions with a low risk of lymph node metastasis, whereas surgical mini-invasive approaches can be considered in early lesions when endoscopy is not curative 4
- Laparoscopic gastrectomy achieves equivalent survival compared with open gastrectomy in early stage and locally advanced gastric cancer 5