Stomach cancer refers to the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells present in the stomach lining. As the abnormal cells grow in number, a tumor is formed, which gradually grows deeper into the stomach and spreads to different parts of the body.
There are different types of stomach cancer based on the type of cell from which they arise. Further, they are categorized into various stages depending on the extent of the disease’s spread.
Becoming aware of various aspects of stomach carcinoma may help one receive the right care at the right time.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer refers to the growth of cancerous cells in any part of the stomach. However, in most cases, the tumors in the stomach originate in the stomach's inner lining.
Also known as gastric cancer or gastric malignancy, stomach carcinoma that is not caught early can spread to nearby lymph nodes and various organs in the body.
How common is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring worldwide. The prevalence of gastric malignancy among patients is influenced by aspects such as family history, dietary habits, age groups, gender, and Helicobacter pylori infection.
What are the different types of stomach cancer?
There are different types of stomach cancer based on the type of cell from which it starts. The most commonly reported types of stomach cancer are adenocarcinomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), neuroendocrine tumors, and lymphomas.
Adenocarcinomas
Adenocarcinomas are one of the most common types of stomach tumors that develop in the stomach's glandular cells. These glandular cells are found in the innermost layer of the stomach, which is known as the mucosa. These glandular cells are responsible for producing digestive enzymes and mucus.
Adenocarcinomas can be classified into two subtypes: intestinal adenocarcinomas and diffuse adenocarcinomas.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GIST, are a rare type of stomach tumor found in the gastrointestinal tract, comprising the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, and other parts of the digestive system as well. This is a rare form of stomach cancer.
These gastrointestinal stromal tumors originate in the cells present in the stomach lining called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs).
Neuroendocrine tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors originate from the neuroendocrine cells and can occur throughout the body. However, these tumors are quite prevalent in the digestive system, including the stomach, colon, rectum, and appendix, and in other organs, such as the lungs, the adrenal glands, and the pancreas.
Lymphomas
Lymphomas refer to the carcinoma of the immune system tissue and may originate anywhere in the body where the lymph tissues are present, including the stomach. As the name suggests, lymphoma of the stomach forms in the lymph tissues present in the lining of the stomach.
What are the stages of stomach cancer?
The TNM staging of stomach cancer is one of the most common methods adopted for determining stomach cancer stages. As per this method, the stage of stomach carcinoma is classified based on the size of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and to what extent the cancer has spread or metastasized
The TNM staging of stomach cancer involves obtaining TNM scores by carrying out various tests like biopsy, endoscopy, and imaging tests. These tests help specialists study various aspects of cancer growth, such as the size of the tumor and the extent of the disease’s spread. The following are the different stages of stomach cancer:
Conclusion
A stomach cancer diagnosis can be challenging. However, an early diagnosis of stomach cancer is really helpful in getting a favorable prognosis for the patient. Thus, it is essential to be aware of the different risk factors associated with stomach cancer and its symptoms and see a doctor in the case of persistent symptoms.
