Stomach Cancer Cost in South Africa

The proliferation of cancer cells in the stomach that gets out of control is known as stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer. The tumor can grow anywhere in the stomach. The majority of stomach cancer occurrences are caused by abnormal cell development at the gastroesophageal junction, the area where your stomach and esophagus connect. The main part of the stomach is where cancer typically develops in other nations where gastric cancer is more prevalent.

Stomach cancer develops in the lining of your stomach around 95% of the time and spreads gradually. If left untreated, it may develop into a tumor that grows further into the walls of the stomach. The pancreas and liver are two adjacent organs where the tumor may spread.

Types of stomach cancer:

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs)- These rare malignancies begin as interstitial cells of Cajal, which are extremely early forms of stomach wall cells. Compared to other GISTs, some have a far higher propensity to spread or grow into other body parts. While GISTs can originate from any point in the digestive tract, the stomach is where most of them do.
• Lymphomas- These malignancies begin in lymphocytes, which are immune system cells. Though certain lymphomas can begin in the stomach wall, most lymphomas originate in other areas of the body. The type of lymphoma and other variables determine the course of treatment and prognosis for various malignancies.
• Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)- originate from cells that function as both nerve and hormone-producing (endocrine) cells in the stomach (or other digestive system) in different situations. While certain NETs can grow and spread quickly, the majority of NETs usually grow slowly and do not spread to other organs.
• Other cancers- Though these tumors are extremely uncommon, other cancer forms, including squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, and leiomyosarcomas, can also begin in the stomach.

What are the stages of Stomach Cancer?

Usually, stomach cancer develops in several stages, each of which represents the disease's severity and spread. The general phases of stomach cancer are as follows:

• Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ)- The mucosa, or innermost lining of the stomach, is the only location where cancer cells can be discovered; they have not penetrated farther into the stomach wall.
• Stage I-
• Stage IA- The cancer has spread to the submucosa or deeper layers of the mucosa, but not past the stomach wall.
• Stage IB- The stomach wall's muscular layer has been affected by cancer.
• Stage II-
• Stage IIA- The cancer has not yet penetrated the surrounding lymph nodes, but it has progressed to the stomach wall's outermost layers.
• Stage IIB- Cancer has progressed to the stomach wall's deeper layers and may have affected neighboring lymph nodes.
• Stage III:
• Stage IIIA- The cancer has penetrated every layer of the stomach wall and is now present in the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues.
• Stage IIIB- The cancer has spread to neighboring lymph nodes and has infected organs like the spleen or pancreas.
• Stage IV:
• Stage IVA- The cancer has progressed to lymph nodes or distant organs from the stomach.
• Stage IVB- The cancer has progressed to distant lymph nodes or other organs other than the stomach.

Staging helps in deciding on the best course of action and prognosis for patients with stomach cancer. It's crucial to remember that staging might change based on the unique features of the malignancy as well as specific patient characteristics.

What causes Stomach Cancer?

Although stomach cancer can happen to anyone, some demographic parameters may make you more susceptible. Stomach cancer is more likely to strike if:

• You are 65 years of age or older.
• The gender was assigned to you at birth.
• You are of East Asian, Eastern European, or South or Central American descent.

• Gastrectomy: You may require surgery to remove all or part of your stomach if the tumor spreads beyond the surface layers of your stomach. The portion of your stomach affected by the cancer is removed during a subtotal gastrectomy. Your whole stomach is removed during a total gastrectomy. After a total gastrectomy, your surgeon will attach your esophagus to your small intestine so that you can continue to eat.
• Compounds used in chemotherapy (chemo) reduce cancer cells, making surgical removal of the cells easier. Following surgery, chemotherapy can also eradicate the cancer cells that remain. Usually, radiation is used in conjunction with it. Tight medication therapy may also be utilized with chemotherapy.
• Radiation destroys cancer cells by using focused energy beams, similar to X-rays. While radiation is not a cure for stomach cancer on its own, it can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy both before and following surgery. Additionally, radiation can aid in symptom relief.
• Targeted drug therapy targets cancer cells' vulnerabilities to kill them. It is frequently used in conjunction with chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent cancers.
• Immunotherapy assists your immune system in locating and eliminating cancer cells, including those that may be difficult to spot. It is most frequently applied to advanced or recurrent cancer.

The prognosis of stomach cancer is contingent upon multiple circumstances, such as the disease's stage at diagnosis, the treatment regimen employed, and the patient's general state of health. Overall, the recovery process from stomach cancer is unique and involves interdisciplinary treatment from surgeons, oncologists, dietitians, and other medical specialists. Remission, symptom management, and improved quality of life are the objectives for those afflicted with stomach cancer.