Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins when healthy cells in the stomach become abnormal and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow, but will not spread.
Cancer can begin in any part of the stomach. It can also spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body, such as the liver, bones, lungs, and the ovaries.
Oesophageal cancer is a similar growth in the food pipe (Oesophgus).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
- May have difficulty in swallowing food
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting the last meal taken
- Unusual weight loss
HOW TO DETECT?
- Upper GI endoscopy and biopsy from the lesion or ulcer
- CT scan or PET CT scan for staging
HOW ARE GASTROESOPHAGEAL CANCERS TREATED?
Based on the stage of the disease, patient may need surgical removal of stomach (partial or total) with chemotherapy.
Oesophageal cancers are treated by definitive radiation or radiation followed by surgery based on the location of tumour.
