Stomach and Gastric Cancer Treatment

Gastric cancer which is also known as stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Gastric cancer occurs within the stomach. The stomach is the first part of the intestine beginning at the end of the esophagus(swallowing passage) and ending in the duodenum( first part of the small intestine). The symptoms of gastric cancer can include intestinal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a feeling of getting full after eating a small meal and upper abdominal pain. Gastric cancer begins growing in the inner lining of the stomach and over time can spread to lymph glands in the area and to other organs and the surfaces of other structures in the abdomen. The diagnosis of gastric cancer is usually made by upper GI endoscopy with biopsies. Staging studies include endoscopic ultrasound which is a specialized endoscopy test that can determine how thick the tumor is within the stomach and whether it involves lymph nodes. CT scan is helpful to determine whether there has been spread beyond the stomach. Treatment for gastric cancer involves surgery to remove the area of the stomach involved with the tumor along with removal of the lymph nodes in the area. These operations can usually be performed with robotic surgery minimizing incisions, scarring and speeding recovery. If the tumor is particularly thick or involves lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis chemotherapy is used prior to surgery. Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to improve upon the results of surgery. As with other tumors, the prognosis of gastric cancer depends on the stage of the tumor.

Pancreatic cancer begins within the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in the mid abdomen which has 2 functions. It produces the hormone, insulin that prevents us from being diabetic. It also produces enzymes which help with the digestion of food. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is called adenocarcinoma and begins within the enzyme producing structures of the pancreas. Less common types of pancreatic tumors include neuroendocrine tumors which have a much better prognosis. These tumors begin within the hormone producing portions of the pancreas. The signs of pancreatic cancer can be subtle leading to delayed diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer often results in mid abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Pancreatic cancers beginning in the region of the pancreas known as the head of the pancreas can present with yellow jaundice. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is usually made on the basis of a CT scan and often requires endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Small pancreatic cancers can be treated with surgery as initial treatment. When tumors are larger or involve surrounding structures chemotherapy or chemotherapy with radiation therapy can be used before surgery. Unfortunately most patients with pancreatic cancer have tumor that is too extensive for surgical resection and chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy with radiation alone is the preferred treatment.