What is Stomach Cancer? Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

What is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that occurs as a result of out-of-control growth due to mutations in cells located in different layers of the stomach wall. Mostly originating from gland-structured cells that comprise the innermost layer of the stomach, these masses can move toward the outside of the stomach wall and affect other digestive organs. The progression of the disease and the treatment plan to be implemented are shaped based on the location of the tumor within the stomach and the biological characteristics of the cells.

How Does Stomach Cancer Develop?

The cancer process usually begins slowly with the accumulation of damage occurring in the DNA structure of cells in the gastric mucosa. While healthy cells are renewed in a normal cycle, mutated cells multiply rapidly instead of dying, forming a mass. This development process is generally characterized by precancerous changes that can take years.

The stage of the disease advances when this initial tumor tissue begins to infiltrate into deeper layers of the stomach wall. Cancer cells can reach surrounding lymph nodes or distant organs such as the liver through blood vessels or the lymphatic system. This invasive characteristic of cells varies depending on the biological aggressiveness of the tumor and the resistance of the patient’s immune system.

The acidic environment of the stomach can sometimes pave the way for inflammatory processes that affect the development of these cells. In particular, conditions such as chronic gastritis or stomach ulcers increase the likelihood of cells making errors by keeping them under continuous renewal pressure. This series of errors eventually leads to an irreversible malignancy, completing the development of stomach cancer.

How Common Is It in Turkey and the World?

Stomach cancer ranks fifth among the most frequently diagnosed cancer types worldwide, continuing to pose a global health threat. The number of cases is much higher in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America compared to other geographies. A decrease in the number of cases has been observed in some regions along with the increased use of modern refrigeration and the decline in the habit of preserving foods with salt.

Specifically in Turkey, stomach cancer is a disease frequently encountered in oncology clinics and still holds a high prevalence. In our country, the incidence is higher in men than in women, and it is generally diagnosed in older age groups. Regional differences in dietary habits cause this type of cancer to be seen more intensely in certain provinces of Turkey.

What Are the Types of Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer types are classified according to the microscopic cell structure of the tumor and the tissue of the stomach from which it originates. This classification is critical for oncologists to predict how fast the disease can progress and to select the most suitable medication protocol. Although most cases show similar symptoms, the type of cells directly determines the response to radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma

Accounting for a vast majority of about 90% to 95% of stomach cancers, adenocarcinoma develops from the gland cells in the innermost layer of the stomach. These cells are normally responsible for producing stomach acid and digestive secretions; however, they begin to multiply unchecked when they become cancerous. Adenocarcinomas are divided into two main types as “intestinal” and “diffuse,” displaying different clinical features.

The intestinal type usually occurs as a result of chronic inflammation and is seen in older patients, forming a distinct mass structure. The diffuse type tends to appear at younger ages, infiltrates widely into the stomach wall, and follows a more aggressive course.

Lymphoma

Cancer types originating from the immune system tissues of the stomach are called gastric lymphoma. Since the stomach is an organ rich in lymphoid tissue, the development of these types of cancers is not surprising. Much rarer compared to adenocarcinomas, this type is generally associated with a specific infection or chronic immune system problems.

The diagnostic process of lymphomas is confirmed by biopsy, and the treatment approach usually focuses on systemic chemotherapy. Some types of gastric lymphoma can show regression even with the clearance of bacteria settled in the stomach, which is an interesting feature that distinguishes them from other cancers.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors originate from specialized cells in the muscle layer of the stomach wall that control digestive movements. These tumors develop not in the mucosal layer, but in the supporting tissues deeper within the organ. GISTs bear the potential to be both benign and malignant, and their behavior is determined according to the size of the tumor.

The treatment of this type is carried out with target-oriented smart drugs rather than traditional chemotherapy. Completely removing the tumor by surgical method is the most basic step to eliminate the risk of spread. Although it is a rare type, survival time and quality of life have reached highly successful levels in GIST patients thanks to modern oncological drugs.

What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer symptoms are generally quite vague in the initial stages of the disease and can be confused with daily digestive problems. Many patients can make the mistake of delaying a doctor check by attributing the bloating or mild pain they experience to their diet. However, these signals given by the body becoming persistent is the most important physical evidence that an abnormality has started in the stomach tissue.

Early-Stage Symptoms

In early-stage stomach cancer, complaints are usually non-specific and can manifest like simple indigestion. A mild feeling of fullness or persistent bloating occurring after meals in the stomach area are among the first signs to watch out for. In addition, patients may experience a rapid feeling of fullness (early satiety) even when they eat less than they normally do.

A mild level of nausea and a loss of appetite that appears from time to time are also among the insidious symptoms of this period. Indistinct burning or sourness felt in the upper part of the abdomen is usually shrugged off with antacid medications, yet it can be a herald of cancer. When these symptoms become continuous and do not pass despite lifestyle changes, they definitely require advanced investigation.

Advanced-Stage Symptoms

As the disease progresses and the tumor grows, stomach cancer symptoms turn into a much more severe and noticeable form. Severe abdominal pain, dark color in stool (a sign of bleeding), or bloody vomiting are serious symptoms requiring emergency medical intervention. Difficulty swallowing and a sensation of food getting stuck while passing into the stomach as a result of the tumor narrowing the stomach are also frequently seen at this stage.

Unexplained rapid weight loss occurring in a short time is evidence that the body’s energy balance is disrupted by cancer cells. Constant fatigue, weakness, and a pale appearance of the skin are symptoms of anemia developing due to chronic hidden bleedings caused by the tumor. A mass that can be felt by hand in the abdominal area or extreme bloating resulting from fluid accumulation in the abdomen indicates that the disease has spread.

Is It Stomach Cancer or Gastritis? How Do We Tell the Difference?

Gastritis is the inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach, whereas stomach cancer is a malignant cell proliferation; however, both lead to similar burning and pain complaints. Gastritis pain is usually triggered by certain foods and shows rapid improvement with medication treatment. In cancer cases, complaints do not pass despite drug use; on the contrary, they worsen the general condition of the patient by increasing their severity over time.

Rapid weight loss and anemia, which are rarely seen in gastritis, are accepted as the most distinguishing clinical findings in stomach cancer cases. Furthermore, while gastritis usually does not cause pain severe enough to wake one from sleep at night, advanced-stage cancer pain can be constant and distressing. An endoscopy to be performed by a specialist is the only and most reliable method that definitively reveals the difference between these two conditions.

What Causes Stomach Cancer? Risk Factors

A complex interaction of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and dietary habits lies among the causes of stomach cancer. The degradations occurring in the DNA structure of cells trigger the uncontrolled growth process when combined with specific external factors. Recognizing risk factors allows individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, to protect themselves from the disease through modifications they make in their lifestyles.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori is accepted worldwide as the most important biological risk factor and carcinogenic agent in the development of stomach cancer. Able to live in the acidic environment of the stomach, this bacterium causes chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa, leading to cell changes over the years. Although this bacterium is found in a large portion of the world population, not everyone develops cancer, but its presence increases the risk about 6 times.

Chronic infection formed by this bacterium initiates stages such as atrophy (weakening of tissues) and intestinal metaplasia (change of cell type) in the stomach wall. In untreated cases, these changes are the most fundamental element feeding the process that turns into cancer cells over time. Clearing the bacterium from the body with antibiotic treatments applied in the early period is a prevention strategy that significantly reduces the risk of stomach cancer.

Dietary Habits

Dietary style ranks at the top of the modifiable risk factors directly related to stomach cancer. Especially the excessive consumption of salted, smoked, and pickled foods damages the cells in the stomach wall, leading to the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Preservatives in processed meat products turn into dangerous nitrosamines in the acidic environment of the stomach, creating cell damage.

Insufficient consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables lowers the resistance against cancer by weakening the body’s antioxidant protective shield. The deficiency of compounds such as vitamins C and E makes it difficult to prevent harmful chemical reactions inside the stomach. Eating regular fresh foods and avoiding excessive salt use is the simplest and most effective method to protect digestive system health.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Genetic Factors

Tobacco use seriously threatens general health by increasing the risk of cancer in the upper part of the stomach about twofold. Carcinogenic substances in cigarette smoke mix with saliva, reach the stomach, and begin to directly disrupt the DNA structure of cells there. Alcohol consumption also prepares a ground that increases the effect of other harmful factors by creating chronic irritation in the gastric mucosa.

Genetic predisposition appears as a direct cause in about 1% to 3% of all stomach cancer cases. In people with a history of stomach cancer in their first-degree relatives, the risk of developing the disease is higher compared to the general public. Because some hereditary mutations are directly related to aggressive stomach cancer types that appear especially at young ages, regular follow-up is important in these individuals.

How Is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?

The diagnostic process is conducted by evaluating the patient’s complaints from a clinical perspective and examining the internal structure of the stomach in detail. Early diagnosis is the most critical stage determining the chance of complete cure in stomach cancer, and modern medicine possesses very sensitive methods in this area. Advanced technological devices used today allow doctors to detect even suspicious tissues in millimetric sizes.

Endoscopy and Biopsy

Upper digestive system endoscopy, also known as gastroscopy, is the most reliable and indispensable method in diagnosing stomach cancer. With the help of a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera at its tip, the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are examined directly on the screen. With this method, color changes, swellings, or non-healing sores on the stomach wall can be seen down to the finest detail.

When any suspicious area is noticed during the examination, the process of taking a tissue sample with a small instrument passed through the endoscope is called a biopsy. These samples taken are examined by experts in the pathology laboratory to definitively determine the character of the cells. No mass can be definitively diagnosed as cancer before the biopsy result arrives; therefore, the accuracy of the report forms the basis for the treatment plan.

Imaging Methods

After the presence of the tumor is confirmed, imaging methods are utilized to understand how much the disease has spread and which organs it is in contact with. Computed Tomography (CT) helps evaluate the depth of the tumor and lymph node involvements by presenting cross-sectional images of intra-abdominal organs. These images offer the anatomical map necessary for the surgical team to determine the operation strategy.

Methods such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography can also be used in certain cases for a clearer view of surrounding tissues. The PET-CT scan checks whether there is a spread (metastasis) to another part of the body by measuring the metabolic activity of cancer cells. The combination of all these imaging results provides precise information about the stages of stomach cancer, clarifying the scope of treatment.

Stomach Cancer Stages

Stomach cancer stages are a medical grading system that defines the depth of the disease within the stomach wall and its spread area within the body. The staging process both gives information about the patient’s life expectancy and determines which treatments should be applied with priority.

Stages 1 and 2

Stage 1 stomach cancer expresses the phase where the tumor remains limited only to the innermost mucosal layer of the stomach or the tissues right beneath it. There is usually no spread to lymph nodes at this stage, or there is only a limited involvement at a point very close to the tumor. The rate of completely getting rid of the disease with surgical interventions performed in this period, which is accepted as an early stage, is quite high.

In Stage 2, the tumor has penetrated deeper into the muscle layer of the stomach wall or has spread more widely to nearby lymph nodes. At this stage, the disease is still cleanable by surgical means, yet additional treatments before or after the operation may be required. If the general condition of the patient is good, the success of treatment at this stage still follows satisfying levels.

Stages 3 and 4

In Stage 3, the tumor has breached the stomach wall, reached the outer layers, and affected numerous lymph nodes. Although the cancer has not yet metastasized to distant organs such as the liver or lungs at this phase, it has seriously invaded its surrounding tissues. Treatment usually involves an intensive protocol in which surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy are used together.

Stage 4 stomach cancer is the most advanced stage in which cells break away from the primary tumor and spread to distant areas of the body via blood or lymph. At this stage, the primary goal is usually to slow down the progression of the disease and bring symptoms under control, rather than completely eliminating the tumor. Immunotherapy and target-oriented drugs have become the most important modern options increasing the quality of life for stage 4 patients.

How Is Stomach Cancer Treated?

Stomach cancer treatment is a complex process management in which oncology, surgery, and radiology disciplines work together. Since each patient’s tumor possesses a unique genetic structure, personalized treatment protocols are created instead of a standard approach. In the light of scientific developments, methods supporting the patient’s metabolism and immune system are included in the process now.

Surgery (Gastrectomy)

Surgical intervention is the most basic and effective method ensuring the physical removal of the tumor from the body in stomach cancer treatment. According to the location of the tumor on the stomach, removing a part of the stomach (subtotal gastrectomy) or the entirety of it (total gastrectomy) may be required. Clearing the surrounding lymph nodes where the tumor is likely to spread during the surgery also bears vital importance.

In cases where the stomach is completely removed, a new connection is made between the esophagus and the small intestine, ensuring the continuity of the digestive system. Today, these operations can be performed with much smaller incisions via laparoscopic or robotic methods, as well as open surgery. Redesigning dietary habits of patients after surgery forms the most important part of the recovery process.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

Chemotherapy is a systemic drug treatment method used to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth. Just as “neoadjuvant” chemotherapy can be applied to shrink the tumor before surgery, “adjuvant” chemotherapy can also be preferred to eliminate cells likely to remain after surgery. Because these drugs spread to the entire body, they are one of the most powerful defense tools against the risk of metastasis.

Radiotherapy is a form of treatment that targets the tumorous region locally using high-energy rays. It is generally applied together with chemotherapy after surgery for the purpose of completely neutralizing cancer cells in the region. Modern radiation techniques keep the side effect profile at a minimum by focusing only on risky areas in the stomach region without damaging surrounding organs.

Targeted Therapies

Targeted therapies are new-generation drugs that work by attacking specific molecular targets that enable only cancer cells to grow. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, they are generally tolerated better by patients because they cause less harm to healthy cells. These drugs are used in patients deemed suitable after the biological map of the tumor is drawn.

Immunotherapy is a revolutionary approach that stimulates the body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells. These drugs, which block the ability of cancer cells to escape from the immune system, provide promising results especially in advanced-stage cases. These biotechnological developments are one of the most powerful and modern weapons in the hands of doctors in the fight against stomach cancer.

Stomach Cancer Treatment in Cuba

Cuba has become a health center recognized worldwide with its unique research in medicine and biotechnology. Scientists in the country have developed various drugs aimed at disrupting the life cycle of cancer cells and strengthening the immune system. These innovative approaches attract the attention of international patients as a supportive element to standard treatments.

What Are Vidatox and Hebertrans?

Vidatox is a homeopathic product obtained from the venom of the “blue scorpion” (Rhopalurus junceus) in Cuba and used as a supportive element in oncology patients. The primary goal of this product is to make it difficult for the cancer to feed by preventing new vessel formation around the tumor and to provide pain control for the patient. Vidatox also aims to elevate the general immune status and life energy of cancer patients.

Hebertrans is a “transfer factor” product developed in Cuba that modulates the response of the immune system. This drug mobilizes defense mechanisms by helping the body recognize cancer cells more effectively. Especially used for the purpose of gathering the immunity of patients going through surgery and chemotherapy processes, these products reflect Cuba’s biotechnological power.

How Does the Treatment Process Work with QBA Medi Tours?

For patients who want to benefit from the medical opportunities in Cuba, the process begins transparently and safely with QBA Medi Tours’ expert consultancy service. In the first step, all health reports and biopsy results of the patient in Turkey are delivered to the oncology committee in Cuba, and a detailed preliminary evaluation is made. As a result of this evaluation, the patient’s suitability for the protocols in Cuba is detected, and a personalized treatment schedule is created.

QBA Medi Tours meticulously organizes all logistical processes of patients, including visa procedures, accommodation, flight plans, and local transfers in Cuba. Upon arrival in Cuba, patients are placed in the hospital accompanied by interpreters through whom they can receive support in their native language, and they receive professional guidance at every step throughout the treatment process. After the treatment, procurement of medications and follow-up of doctor checks in Turkey are carried out, and the continuity of the health journey is provided under the guarantee of QBA Medi Tours.

As QBA Medi Tours, we plan your treatment process in cooperation with centers approved by the Cuban Ministry of Health, being by your side at every step. You can contact us immediately to get detailed information about your health journey, deliver your reports to specialist physicians, and create an online meeting appointment.