Stomach Cancer
Incidence and mortality
Cancer of the stomach is the 8th leading site overall. 6th among males and 10th among females. In 1998, an estimated 2,563 new cases 1,511 among males and 1,052 among females, will be seen. About 1,484 deaths will occur. The incidence begins to rise starting at age 50.
Risk factors
Pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis. Evidence suggest that gastric cancer may be linked to diet, such as salty food, smoked fish, pickled vegetables. The incidence that had changed to a healthier diet.
Warning signals
Gastric cancer progresses silently to an advanced stage before symptoms alert the physician or the patient. Early symptoms include indigestion, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, and anemia. Weight loss, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, abdominal mass suggest an advanced stage.
Early detection
Unfortunately, there is neither an effective method primary prevention nor early detection of stomach cancer. In order to increase survival, earlier diagnosis of symptomic patients should be the goal.
Patients over age 50 with vague epigastric symptoms, unexplained anemia, and weight loss should undergo upper gastrointestinal series or endoscopic studies.
Treatment
Surgery remains the most effective method of treating gastric cancer.