A Simple Guide to Stomach Cancer

A Simple Guide to Stomach Cancer
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What is Stomach Cancer?
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Stomach cancer (also called “gastric cancer”) is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining and wall of the stomach which mutates and proliferates giving rise to the stomach cancer .
Stomach Cancer can spread to the surrounding organs like liver,pancreas and colon.
Once in the blood stream it can spread to the brain, bones and kidneys.

Who is at risk of getting Stomach Cancer?
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1. Chronic Helicobacter pylori bacteria infection. This bacteria is found in the stomach and has been found to cause gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.

2. family history of stomach cancer

3. frequent consumption of preserved or smoked food such as salted vegetables,fish,meat. Cancer causing nitrosamines are released when these food are cooked.

4.previous stomach surgery with partial removal of stomach (gastric ulcers or polyps)

5. Pernicious anaemia- a rare blood disorder affecting the red blood cells

6. Smoking

7. Men are affected more than women

8. Age above 50 years of age

9.People with blood group A has a higher incidence

What are the symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
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In the early stages, stomach cancer may have no symptoms.

As it spread it can cause the following symptoms:

1.Indigestion, stomach discomfort or heartburn

2.A fullness feeling or bloating after eating a small meal

3. loss of appetite

4.Nausea or belching

5. Feeling tired

When the cancer is larger, it can cause the following symptoms:

1.Stomach pain

2.Vomiting

3.Blood in your stool or black tarry stools

4.Unexplained weight loss

5.pallour due to anaemia from loss of blood

Many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions besides cancer.
So the earlier stomach cancer is found, the better are the chances of it being cured.

How do you diagnose Stomach Cancer?
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1.medical history and complete physical exam.

2.Abdominal X-ray for any other condition in the abdomen causing pain or swelling in the abdomen

3.Gastroscopy:
a thin, lighted tube is put into your mouth and passed down to your stomach.

4.Biopsy:
During gastrocopy, a small piece of your suspicious stomach tissue is taken to check for cancer cells. This is called a biopsy sample which is then examined under a microscope for cancer cells.

How is stomach cancer treated?
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Treatment for stomach cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. The choice of treatment depends on whether the cancer is just in the stomach or if it has spread to other places in the body. A person’s age and overall health will also affect the choice of treatment.

Surgery
Surgery is still the best form of treatment for stomach cancer.
For smaller cancers -partial removal of the stomach is done.
In early stages cure rate is about 90%.
For later stages of cancer, the whole stomach including the spleen and surrounding tissues may be removed.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used in conjunction with surgery in later stges of cancer.

Radiotherapy:
Radiation can help to kill the cancer cells surrounding the stomach cancer as well as to relieve pain.

Can I prevent stomach cancer?
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There is no way to prevent stomach cancer.
However, you can help reduce your risk of getting stomach cancer by:
Living a healthy lifestyle

Not drinking a lot of alcohol or smoking.

Avoid preserved food

Treat H.pyrori infections of the stomach early.

Eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, and vitamin C.
Vitamin C is found in foods such as oranges, grapefruit and broccoli.

AS IN ALL CANCERS, EARLY DETECTION IS THE BEST CURE!!

A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer

A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer
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What is Nasopharyngeal Cancer ?
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Nasopharyngeal cancer, commonly referred to as NPC, occurs when the cells lining the nasopharynx(area behind the nose and above the back of the throat) become abnormal and proliferates giving rise to cancer cells.
It affects more men than women.

What are the causes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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Various causes may be involved:
1.Genes. -males between the ages of 20-50 from southern China and Southeast Asia are at higher risk.

2.Diet. such as preserved foods ( salted fish, vegetables and meat) can cause a higher risk of NPC. Cooking of such food releases toxic substances called nitrosamines into the fumes that we breathe.
Many NPC patients consumed much less fresh fruit and vegetables.

3.Virus. There is evidence that NPC patients have higher levels of the Epstein-Barr virus in their blood. The Epstein-Barr virus activating substances have been detected in a number of these preserved foods.

4.Smoking. People who smokes have a higher risk

What are the signs and symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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The following are symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer:

1.A painless lump in the neck-usually a lymph node infiltrated by cancer cells

2.Nosebleed or blood stained sputum

3.Blocking of one or both nostrils

4.Loss of hearing, or ringing in the ear

5.Discharge from the ear

6.Blurred or double vision

7.Difficulty in breathing or speaking

8.Persistant Sore throat

9.Paralysis of one side of the face

10.Headaches

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be detected?
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Examination of the upper part of the nose for swelling or lumps.
An endoscope is inserted into the nose. The ENT specialist may extract tissue(biopsy) which can be sent for testing, to confirm if there is a cancerous growth.

If a tumour is found, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess its size.

Patients may also be tested for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in their systems. This is used to indicate the likelihood of contracting NPC.

How can NPC be prevented?
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No one can be fully protected from NPC.
However, you can modify your lifestyle practices to reduce your chances of contracting NPC.
Avoid preserved foods at an early age.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies ave found that citrus fruits (rich in Vitamin C) and orange-coloured vegetables (eg, carrots and sweet potatoes), tomatoes, and dark green vegetables (all rich in carotenoids) also help lower the chances of contracting NPC.
Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of NPC by two to four times. Those who smoke, can still lower their risk by cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Better still, quit smoking.

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be treated?
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Radiotherapy.
This is the most common treatment. This involves the use of radiation to attack cancer cells, stopping them from growing or multiplying.

Chemotherapy.
This involves the use of anti-cancer medication to treat the cancer.
For both methods, the patient may experience side-effects such as tiredness and nausea.

Surgery
Surgery is seldom used because of the danger of cutting tissues too close to the brain.

Early treatment is recommended as it increases the patient's chances of survival.
Delayed action could result in the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat.