Stomach Cancer
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Stomach
Health Discussion Forum
Stomach
Cancer
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer is a form of cancer that can begin anywhere
in the stomach. A stomach tumor or other type of stomach cancer
occurs when cells in the stomach grow out of control and become
tumors. Stomach cancer cells take over healthy cells. They may
then spread throughout the stomach and then to other organs and
parts of the body, especially the esophagus and small
intestine.
Stomach cancer often begins with the development of a benign
growth known as a polyp. These polyps may lead to a stomach
tumor later on. Also see stomach cancer causes.
Stomach cancer statistics
According to the American Cancer Society,
- about 21 thousand Americans are diagnosed with stomach
cancer annually
- 13 thousand of these stomach cancer cases will be
men
- 8 thousand stomach cancer cases will be women
- average age when stomach cancer is diagnosed is
71.
- about two thirds of stomach cancer cases are diagnosed
after age 65.
- a person's risk of developing stomach cancer in their
lifetime in the United States is approximately 1 in
100.
- Early stage stomach cancer diagnosis results in a 75
percent chance of survival for at least five years.
Diagnosis in the late stages usually results in a 30
percent chance.
Stomach cancer used to be the leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in the United States, but the number of
cases has been decreasing in recent years.
Stomach cancer is more common worldwide than in the U.S.
There are many more cases in Japan, Korea, Great Britain, South
America and Iceland. Japan, in fact, has more than 10 times as
many cases as the U.S.. However, native Japanese people who
move to the United States and adopt American eating habits
develop fewer cases of stomach cancer than people in Japan who
eat a typical Japanese diet.
Stomach cancer risk factors
Researchers have found evidence that diets that include a
lot of salt and nitrates probably increase a person's chances
of getting stomach cancer.
Despite mounting belief that certain diets may be a factor,
there's no medical evidence yet regarding the cause of stomach
cancer. But there are some known risk factors, especially in
certain industries. People who work in the coal mining, timber,
nickel and rubber industries all have high rates of stomach
cancer.
People with a family history of stomach cancer also seem to
be at higher risk, as do those who have had stomach surgery for
ulcers and pernicious anemia.
There's also a specific type of bacteria known as
Helicobacter pylori which has often been found in the stomachs
of stomach cancer patients.
Stomach tumor and stomach cancer types
Adenocarcinomas appear and develop in the glandular cells of
the stomach lining. This is the most common type of stomach
cancer.
Soft tissue sarcomas, which are extremely rare. originate
from the cells in the muscle layer of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is another type of
sarcoma which originate in the tissues that support the organs
of the digestive system. They are also known as GISTs.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. A MALT
lymphoma is the main type to affect the stomach. A MALT
lymphoma is also known as a MALToma.
Carcinoid tumor is another type of cancer that can affect
the stomach.
Also see: detecting a
stomach cancer symptom, stomach cancer treatment,
stomach cancer
prevention.
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Stomach
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