Stomach cancer is a buildup of unusual cells that create a mass in the area of the stomach. Also known as “gastric cancer,” this type of cancer is the fifth most prominent form across the globe, but the third leading cause associated with deaths related to cancer. There are around 25,500 fresh cases of stomach cancer every year in the country. This represents around 2% of all cancer cases that are detected in the country.

Explained below are the symptoms and types of stomach cancer to shed more light on the disease:

1. Symptoms of stomach cancer
There are numerous symptoms related to stomach cancer. However, these signs are also prevalent in the case of less serious health conditions. Therefore, it may be difficult to identify stomach cancer in the initial stage. Due to this reason, stomach cancer is not detected in many cases until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Hence, mentioned below are a few initial symptoms related to this disease.

2. Early symptoms

Early warning symptoms of stomach cancer include the following:

• Feeling bloated after meals
• Heartburn
• Frequent burping
• Feeling extremely full while having food
• Dysphagia, which is trouble in swallowing
• Trapped wind
• Pain in the breastbone or stomach
• Constant problem of indigestion
• Presence of blood in vomit

3. Symptoms that need urgent attention

• Indigestion along with breathlessness, fatigue, anemia, vomiting, or unexpected weight loss
• Dysphagia

4. Types of stomach cancer
Explained below are types of stomach cancer.

• Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma is the most prominent form of stomach cancer. This type of stomach cancer accounts for approximately 90% of all cases related to this disease. It begins in the epithelial tissue, which is a form of glandular tissue. Epithelial tissue lines the cavities and surfaces of the human body’s organs. As the epithelial tissue lines all the organs, adenocarcinomas can impact any organ where there is a presence of the tissue and not just the stomach. Adenocarcinoma of the stomach starts in the cells that develop the stomach’s innermost layer in the mucus-producing cells, known as the mucosa.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is quite a rare type of stomach cancer as it accounts for only 4% of all stomach cancer cases. This type of stomach cancer may commence in any area where lymph tissues are detected; this includes the stomach.
• Other types: Apart from the aforementioned, the other types of stomach cancer include Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and carcinoid tumor. GIST begins in the Interstitial cells of the Cajal, which are the very early form of cells in the stomach wall. Some of these tumors are cancerous while others are benign (non-cancerous). Carcinoid tumor commences in the hormone-producing cells of the stomach. A majority of these tumors do not spread to other organs of the body. Apart from these, the less common types of stomach cancer include leiomyosarcoma, small cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Stomach cancer can be a life-threatening disease that should not be taken lightly. Do keep an eye out for the aforementioned symptoms so as to identify it quickly for early treatment.