Gastric cancer is the third commonest
cancer in men in Singapore and the second commonest cancer
worldwide.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF STOMACH CANCER?
When the tumour is small there may be no
symptoms. Patients with advanced tumors commonly present
with pain in the upper abdomen. This may be accompanied
by weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting and bleeding.
The latter are "alarm symptoms" and should be an indication
to seek medical attention without delay.
HOW
IS CANCER OF THE STOMACH DIAGNOSED?
Endoscopy
is the most important and accurate investigation.
This should be performed for patients with dyspepsia
which persists for more than a few weeks or which
does not respond to treatment, especially in people
over the age of 40 years. At endoscopy the inner
lining of the stomach is carefully examined and
biopsies of any abnormal areas can be taken. Biopsies
will prove whether cancer is present.
Cancer
of the stomach
diagnosed by endoscopy
WHAT
TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ?
Complete removal of the tumour by surgery
is the only method of curing stomach cancer. For the majority
of patients this involves removing part or all of the
stomach. Surgery may also be necessary in patients with
incurable cancer in order to relieve tumour complications
such as obstruction or bleeding.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment given after surgery
have not been very effective in preventing tumour recurrence
or improving survival. Recently "neoadjuvant therapy"
has been tried, which is giving chemotherapy pre-operatively
to shrink the tumour and to improve resectability.
