Gastric Cancer Health Article

Definition

Gastric cancer (also known as stomach cancer) is a disease in which the cells forming the inner lining of the stomach become abnormal and start to divide uncontrollably, forming a mass or a tumor.

Description

The stomach is a J-shaped organ that lies in the abdomen, on the left side. The esophagus (or the food pipe) carries the food from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach produces many digestive juices and acids that mix with the food and aid in the process of digestion. The stomach is divided into five sections. The first three are together referred to as the proximal stomach, and produce acids and digestive juices, such as pepsin. The fourth section of the stomach is where the food is mixed with the gastric juices. The fifth section of the stomach acts as a valve and controls the emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine. The fourth and the fifth sections together are referred to as the distal stomach. Cancer can develop in any of the five sections of the stomach. The symptoms and the outcomes of the disease may vary depending on the location of the cancer.

In many cases, the cause of the gastric cancer is unknown. Several environmental factors have been linked to gastric cancer. Consuming large amounts of smoked, salted, or pickled foods has been linked to increased gastric cancer risk. Nitrates and nitrites, chemicals found in some foods such as cured meats may be linked to gastric cancer as well.

Infection by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium has been found more often in people with gastric cancer. H. pylori can cause irritation of the stomach lining (chronic atrophic gastritis), which may lead to pre-cancerous changes of the stomach cells.

People who have had previous stomach surgery for ulcers or other conditions may have a higher likelihood of developing gastric cancers, although this is not certain. Another risk factor is developing polyps, benign growths in the lining of the stomach. Although polyps are not cancerous, some may have the potential to turn cancerous.

While no particular gene for gastric cancer has yet been identified, people with blood relatives who have been diagnosed with gastric cancer are more likely to develop the disease. In addition, people who have inherited disorders such as familial adenomatous polyps (FAP) and Lynch syndrome have an increased risk for gastric cancer. For unknown reasons, gastric cancers occur more frequently in people with the blood group A.