May 15, 2011 in Cancer Symptoms
Stomach cancer signs are asymptomatic or remain latent in the initial stage of the ailment. They also mimic the symptoms of other complications of this organ like gastric ulcer, stomach virus and tropical sprue.
As a result, in 80-90 percent diagnosed cases, the ailment is found to be in advanced stage. Owing to this reason, it has very prognosis. The standard treatments prove completely ineffective in treating the cancer.
National Cancer Institute reported 21,000 cases of gastric neoplasm in the United States in 2010. 10,570 people died owing to this disease. Awareness of the symptoms increases the chances of commencing the treatments early. This article tries to gain further insight on the subject.
TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors (TNM) of cancer staging is used to divide the severity of this ailment. Stomach cancer signs are classified according to these stages. They are:
Stage 1 or Early Gastric Cancer Signs:
- Irritation
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Discomfort in the abdomen
Stage 2 or Middle Gastric Cancer Signs:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Bloating of the stomach especially after the meals
Stage 3 or Late Gastric Cancer Signs:
How the Gastric Cancer Signs are Diagnosed?Some of the tools and tests used to find the signs of neoplasm in stomach are:
- Knowing the medical history of the patient
- Physical examination
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiography
- Biopsy with histological analysis – the most definite test for confirming the ailment
- Computer tomography of the abdomen
- Stool test
- Gastrolscopic exam – Viewing the inside of the stomach by inserting a camera-attached flexible tube
- Optical coherence tomography – Method involving acquisition and processing of the optical signals
Conclusion: further research is underway to find specific bio-markers which can confirm the presence of the stomach cancer signs as early as possible.