Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer is a serious and dangerous health problem caused by the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells in the stomach wall. Although this type of cancer, which is common worldwide, has a high chance of cure when diagnosed early, it is usually recognized in advanced stages because its symptoms are initially mild. In this article we have written for you, you will learn about what stomach cancer is, its causes, and its symptoms.

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is a malignant tumor caused by abnormal growth and proliferation of cells in the stomach. Stomach cancer initially forms in the inner layer of the stomach wall and can spread to other layers and organs over time. If not diagnosed at an early stage, it can be life-threatening by metastasizing to other parts of the body, especially the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.

What Are The Causes of Stomach Cancer?

Although the exact causes of stomach cancer are not fully known, some factors are known to increase the risk of developing this type of cancer. These factors are as follows;

• The most commonly associated factor with stomach cancer is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes inflammation and ulcer formation in the stomach lining.
• Smoking significantly increases the risk of stomach cancer.
• Consuming high-salt foods increases the risk of stomach cancer.
• People with a family history of stomach cancer have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer.
• Low fruit and vegetable consumption and high consumption of processed foods increase the risk of stomach cancer.
• The risk of stomach cancer is higher in people who have undergone stomach surgery.
• Some genetic mutations and syndromes increase the risk of stomach cancer.

What Are The Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?

Symptoms of stomach cancer may be mild at the beginning and may worsen over time. The main symptoms are as follows;

• Loss of appetite and rapid weight loss,
• Pain and discomfort in the upper stomach area,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Indigestion, bloating and heartburn,
• The feeling of satiety during eating,
• The feeling of fullness or pressure in the stomach,
• Difficulty swallowing,
• Anemia and weakness,
• Swelling in the abdomen,

Symptoms of stomach cancer may be similar to symptoms of other diseases. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is important to consult a specialist for a definitive diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly increase the chances of success in the fight against stomach cancer.

What Are The Types of Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is a disease characterized by malignant tumors that start in the cells lining the stomach and grow uncontrollably. There are several types of stomach cancer. These types are as follows;

Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma, which accounts for approximately 90-95% of stomach cancers, begins in the mucous cells lining the stomach wall. This type of cancer accounts for the vast majority of stomach cancer cases.

Lymphoma; Lymphoma, which accounts for about 4% of stomach cancers, begins in the lymphatic tissues in the stomach wall. This type of cancer affects immune system cells and can often be seen outside the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST); GISTs are rare types of cancer that originate from connective tissue or muscle cells in the stomach wall. Some of these tumors may be benign, while others may be malignant and cancerous.

Carcinoid tumors; Carcinoid tumors originate from hormone-producing cells in the stomach wall. Most of these tumors are benign, but some can be malignant and cancerous.

What Are The Stages of Stomach Cancer?

The stages of stomach cancer show how far the cancer has progressed and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Stomach cancer is usually divided into 4 stages;

Stage 1; In this stage, cancer is found only in the inner layers of the stomach wall and has not spread to the lymph nodes. The prognosis is generally better and can be treated with surgical intervention.

Stage 2; cancer has spread to deeper layers of the stomach wall and has started to affect nearby lymph nodes. At this stage, treatment can be performed with surgery and chemotherapy.

Stage 3; cancer has spread to all layers of the stomach wall and has reached more lymph nodes. At this stage, treatment can be performed with surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Stage 4; The cancer has spread to organs other than the stomach and other parts of the body. In this stage, treatment can be performed with palliative treatments and chemotherapy to improve the patient’s quality of life.

How Is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed?

Stomach cancer can be diagnosed as a result of the patient’s complaints, physical examination, and various tests. The diagnosis process works as follows;

The doctor evaluates the patient’s symptoms and performs a physical examination. At this stage, the patient’s medical history and family history are also taken into consideration.

Endoscopy is performed in patients with suspected stomach cancer. During this procedure, a thin and flexible tube (endoscope) is passed through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. A camera at the end of the endoscope allows the doctor to see abnormalities inside the stomach.

During the endoscopy, samples of suspicious tissues are taken and examined in the pathology laboratory. This is done to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Various imaging tests can be performed to determine the stage of stomach cancer and to see if the cancer has spread. These tests include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET).

In patients with suspected stomach cancer, a surgical procedure called laparoscopy may be performed to take a closer look at the organs and lymph nodes inside the abdomen. During this procedure, abnormalities in the abdomen are examined using a thin tube and camera.

How Is Stomach Cancer Treated?

Stomach cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in stomach cells. Stomach cancer treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease, the patient’s general health status, and other factors. The main methods used in the treatment of stomach cancer are as follows;

• Surgery,
• Chemotherapy,
• Radiotherapy,
• Targeted therapies,
• Immunotherapy,

Treatment of gastric cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach and it is important that patients are evaluated by an oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist, and other specialists.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Stomach Cancer?

Although it is not possible to completely prevent stomach cancer, it is possible to reduce the risk by taking some lifestyle changes and precautions. Some suggestions that can help prevent stomach cancer are as follows;

Follow a healthy diet by increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing the consumption of salty and processed foods. Also, protect stomach health by increasing the consumption of high-fiber foods.

Smoking and alcohol use can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Getting rid of these habits is an important step in reducing the risk of stomach cancer.

H. pylori bacteria is a factor that increases the risk of stomach cancer. If you have symptoms of this infection, talk to your doctor and get the appropriate treatment.

Obesity and overweight can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

If there is a family history of stomach cancer, genetic counseling, and regular screenings are important.

Regular screenings are especially important for people at risk. Early diagnosis increases the chance of success in stomach cancer treatment.

Stomach Cancer Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has managed to announce its name to the world with its investments and studies in the field of health. Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Stomach Cancer Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.