Gastric Cancer - Signs and tests

Diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms may not occur in the early stages of the disease. Or, patients may self-treat symptoms that gastric cancer has in common with other, less serious gastrointestinal disorders (bloating, gas, heartburn, and a sense of fullness).

The following tests can help diagnose gastric cancer:

Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy

Stool test to check for blood in the stools

Upper GI series

Gastric Cancer - Symptoms

Abdominal fullness or pain

Dark stools

Difficulty swallowing, especially if it increases over time

Excessive belching

General decline in health

Loss of appetite

Nausea and vomiting

Premature abdominal fullness after meals

Vomiting blood

Weakness or fatigue

Weight loss (unintentional)

Gastric Cancer - Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Several different types of cancer can occur in the stomach. The most common type is called adenocarcinoma, which starts from one of the common cell types found in the lining of the stomach.

There are several types of adenocarcinoma. Because other types of gastric cancer are more rare, this article focuses on adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Adenocarcinoma of the stomach is a common cancer of the digestive tract worldwide, although it is uncommon in the United States. It occurs most often in men over age 40. This form of gastric cancer is very common in Japan, Chile, and Iceland.

The rate of most types of gastric adenocarcinoma in the United States has gone down over the years. Experts think the decrease may be because people are eating less salted, cured, and smoked foods.

Risk factors for gastric cancer are:

Family history of gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori infection (a common bacteria that can also cause stomach ulcers)

History of an adenomatous gastric polyp larger than 2 centimeters

History of chronic atrophic gastritis

History of pernicious anemia

Smoking

Gastric cancer

Cancer - stomach; Stomach cancer; Gastric carcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Gastric cancer is cancer that starts in the stomach.

Breast Cancer - References

1. Carlson RW, Allred DC, Anderson BO, Burstein HJ, Carter WB, Edge SB, et al. Breast cancer. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2009 Feb;7(2):122-92.
2. Chlebowski RT, Kuller LH, Prentice RL, Stefanick ML, Manson JE, Gass M, et al. Breast cancer after use of estrogen plus progestin in postmenopausal women. N Engl J Med. 2009 Feb 5;360(6):573-87.
3. Hayes DF. Clinical practice. Follow-up of patients with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(24): 2505-13.

Breast Cancer - Prevention

Tamoxifen is approved for breast cancer prevention in women aged 35 and older who are at high risk. Discuss this with your doctor.

Women at very high risk for breast cancer may consider preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy. This is the surgical removal of the breasts before breast cancer is ever diagnosed. Possible candidates include:

• Women who have already had one breast removed due to cancer
• Women with a strong family history of breast cancer
• Women with genes or genetic mutations that raise their risk of breast cancer (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2)

Your doctor may do a total mastectomy to reduce your risk of breast cancer. This may reduce, but does not eliminate the risk of breast cancer.

Many risk factors, such as your genes and family history, cannot be controlled. However, eating a healthy diet and making a few lifestyle changes may reduce your overall chance of getting cancer.

There is still little agreement about whether lifestyle changes can prevent breast cancer. The best advice is to eat a well-balanced diet and avoid focusing on one "cancer-fighting" food. The American Cancer Society's dietary guidelines for cancer prevention recommend that people:

• Choose foods and portion sizes that promote a healthy weight
• Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products
• Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day
• Limit processed and red meat in the diet
• Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day (women who are at high risk for breast cancer should consider not drinking alcohol at all)

Breast Cancer - Calling your health care provider

Contact your health care provider for an appointment if:

• You have a breast or armpit lump
• You have nipple discharge

Also call your health care provider if you develop symptoms after being treated for breast cancer, such as:

• Nipple discharge
• Rash on the breast
• New lumps in the breast
• Swelling in the area
• Pain, especially chest pain, abdominal pain, or bone pain.