Although stomach cancer is one of the top causes of cancer deaths in parts of the world, like Asia and in developing countries, the occurrence of gastric, or stomach cancer, has decreased in the U.S. over the last several decades. That’s good news.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven thirty years ago, gastric cancer was much more prevalent,\u201d says Prakash Gatta, MD. Gastrointestinal refers to the body\u2019s organs related to digestion, such as the esophagus, stomach and intestines.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have figured out more recently is that one of the cancer-causing culprits is a bacteria called H pylori<\/em>. The chronic inflammation of infected stomach cells can eventually turn cancerous,\u201d explains Dr. Gatta. Treating the H pylori infection with antibiotics has helped reduce the rate of stomach cancer, although Dr. Gatta is quick to point out that it is still the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the glum news. With most patients\u2019 vague or indistinct symptoms, stomach cancer is not easily detected or diagnosed.<\/p>\n While a common screening tool like colonoscopy is a preventable measure to combat colon cancer, there is no standard screening mechanism to detect stomach cancer, which can then progress unchecked.<\/p>\n Working with his gastroenterologist partners, Dr. Gatta\u00a0diagnoses stomach cancer with a\u00a0procedure called an upper endoscopy<\/em>. He inserts a tiny tube called an endoscope down the throat to examine the cells lining the esophagus and stomach. If he sees any abnormal tissue cells, he removes a sample through the endoscope to send to a lab to determine if the cells are cancerous.<\/p>\n According to Dr. Gatta, the lack of routine stomach cancer screening means that he often doesn\u2019t see patients until their cancer has advanced beyond the early, more curable stage. \u201cLike other malignancies,\u00a0stomach cancer\u00a0is generally more\u00a0treatable when\u00a0detected\u00a0before cancer\u00a0has spread,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n Surgery is only an option for about half of stomach cancer cases. Other therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, focus on improving and lengthening a patient\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n Dr. Gatta stresses that while the symptoms are commonly associated with many other conditions that are mostly far less serious than stomach cancer, it is vital for patients to follow up with a doctor if the following symptoms persist or get worse:<\/p>\n \u201cMore research is needed to identify better ways of catching stomach cancer earlier,\u201d affirms Dr. Gatta. \u201cBut as treating physicians, we also know that better outcomes need more education around the symptoms of stomach cancer and when patients should consult a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Although stomach cancer is one of the top causes of cancer deaths in parts of the world, the occurrence of gastric, or stomach cancer, has decreased in the U.S over the last several decades. This Stomach Cancer Awareness Month we check in with Prakash Gatta, MD, to learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatments of stomach cancer.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":95,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cancer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInsufficient stomach cancer screening can mean delayed diagnosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Raising stomach cancer awareness: Know the signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n