Stomach Cancer Treatment in India IN INDIA

One of the crucial organs of the Human body is the stomach which is present in the middle upper side of the belly. It oversees the storage, digestion, and breakdown of food material. Stomach Cancer is a cancer that grows as an effect of a genetic mutation in the DNA of stomach cells. They can happen in any area of the stomach but commonly develops in the stomach body or the main stomach part. About 95% of stomach cancers begin in the outer lining of the stomach and spread slowly. These cells then form tumours and spread rapidly through the exterior walls of the stomach.

The cells get discarded into the main lymphatic stream. Stomach cancers are easily treatable in early stages, and if left untreated, this leads to cancer, and it can spread to several other organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Stomach cancer ranks as the eighth most frequent factor for higher death rates. Now, we are going to discuss in detail about stomach cancer treatment.

TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER

A malignant tumour that develops abnormally inside the inner lining of the belly area is known as Adenocarcinoma. Other rare cancer cells also begin in the centre and outer portions of the stomach. The most frequent cancer is commonly known as gastric cancer, but India’s expertise is in treating all types of stomach cancers.

Stomach cancers classify themselves into the following types:

1. Adenocarcinomas- These arise from the glandular cells in the innermost lining of the stomach. About 90 to 95% of the cancer are Adenocarcinomas.

Two main kinds of Adenocarcinomas are as follows:  

❖ Intestinal type Adenocarcinomas – They are slightly better projections. This cell growth has gene changes that allow targeted drug therapy as a form of treatment.

❖ Diffuse type of Adenocarcinoma tumour– The growth rate is rapid. It is less frequent and infrequent. It is rarely curable.

2. Tumours affecting the Nerves of Endocrine glands (Neuroendocrine Tumours)- These cells behave similarly to endocrine and nerve cells. The digestive tract cell or stomach gives rise to the neuroendocrine system. While some spread and expand quickly, others grow slowly. Neuroendocrine tumours include carcinoid cells.

3. Tumours affecting the Gastrointestinal tract (Gastrointestinal stromal tumours) – This sarcoma cell grows in a special kind of nerve of the digestive tract. The cells send signals to the digestive system to help food movement. Some Gastrointestinal tumours transmit through larger fatty tissues called the omentum. Other tissues covering the thin lining of the tissues are called peritoneum. The larger the GIST it is more likely to operate like cancer. They are soft tissue sarcomas.

4. Tumour affecting the Lymph nodes (Lymphomas) – The cancerous cells develop inside the immune or lymphatic system. Some of the Lymphomas starts from the walls or other part of the stomach. The treatment of this cancer depends on different factors and the type of lymphomas. Most of them are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

5. Other similar Cancer tumours – Squamous cell carcinomas, leiomyosarcomas, and small cell carcinomas all initiate from the connective tissues of the stomach. These cancers are often rare.

THE CAUSES OF STOMACH CANCER

As per scientists, the exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown. Certain factors like diet and lifestyle upsurge the risk of developing cancer. Below are some risk factors for stomach cancer:

• Atrophic gastric cause infection of Helicobacter pylori microorganism affecting the stomach lining.
• A diet high in salty and processed foods
• Smoking and alcohol
• Growth of polyps in the stomach
• Eating less quantity of fruits and vegetables.
•  Family history and genetics
• Older people above age 50 and so
• Overweight and obese
• Asbestos Exposure
• Males are at higher risk than females.
• Working in coal mines, timber and rubber industries.
• Virus infection Epstein-Barr
• Type – Blood group.
• Hereditary and geographical conditions

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GASTRIC CANCER

The initial symptoms are unnoticed due to unexpected weight loss and stomach pain. It can also be confused with other conditions and may not be dangerous. Each person will experience their symptoms differently.

A few of the most common primary signs are as follows:

1.  Indigestion and Heartburn
2.  Pain in the stomach
3.  Feeling uneasy and bloating
4.  Full stomach after eating less
5. Swallowing problem and frequent burping

A few of the secondary symptoms are as follows:

1. Bloody or black stool
2. Appetite loss
3. Loss of weight
4. Vomiting blood
5. Diarrhoea and constipation
6. Weakness

DIAGNOSIS FOR STOMACH CANCER

The Gastrologist in India examines if a family history shows stomach cancer and enquires about the symptoms. He may perform a few physical examinations, recommending a few blood and stool test samples.

Multiple test methods detecting stomach cancers are as follows:

❖Endoscopy

The specialist will pass a long, thin tube with a light and camera inside a patient’s digestive tract. It then cuts through the throat. They look for cancer in different parts of the stomach, oesophagus, and the top of the small intestine.

❖Biopsy

The doctor will scrape a small area of the tissue and cells around the stomach. He may examine it under a microscope. It determines the nature and grade of the tumour.

❖Laparoscopy

To examine the abdominal wall’s inner lining, a tiny portion of it is pulled using a laparoscope. The technique selects small tumours that are undetected by PET or CT scans. This technique can screen the remaining 20% of patients for the presence of a tumour.

❖Ultrasound

Sonography determines the depth of tumour invasion. Endoscopic ultrasound can detect the different stages of cancer. It looks at the middle and the outside of the abdomen. It uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to get detailed pictures of the digestive system.

❖Radiological tests

CT scans, MRIs, and barium swallows identify abnormalities and tumours in the cells. In barium swallow, the patient drinks a substance. Due to this, the abdomen linings become more visible to the Practioner during X-ray.

❖Gastrectomy

The affected tissues and cells around the stomach or the whole stomach are operated on to remove surrounding lymph nodules.

STAGES OF CANCER

The treatment of stomach cancer in India depends on how the body holds the disease and the patient’s health condition. The extent to which it has spread is called the cancer stage.

Stage 0 – The cancer cells grow only on the surface of the stomach linings. An early stage where cancer detects before it spreads to the lymph nodes. Endoscopic mucosal resection and EMR are the treatments done during this stage of stomach cancer.

Stage I – This stage is when a tumour extends into deeper tissues of the abdomen. Surgery perforates to remove the affected part and the lymph nodes. If the cancer is slightly advanced, then chemotherapy is the best option.

Stage II – The tumour in the stomach lining travels deeper to the lymph nodes and muscle layer. Chemotherapy and chemoradiation are treatments before and after surgery. Therapy shrinks the tumour before performing surgery to kill the tumour cells.

Stage III– During this point, cancer progresses to all parts of the stomach as the spleen and colon. It is a small cell that spreads to one or more lymph nodes. The entire stomach operates with surgery, chemo and chemoradiation.

Stage IV – This is the ultimate stage of cancer when it spreads through the brain, liver and lungs. Targeted therapy works well in this stage of cancer. Surgery acts to control the symptoms and helps swallow food properly.

The treatment and therapy depend upon various stages and survival rates. With early cancer detection in stage 0, the expected survival rate is 69.9%. In case cancer spreads to other organs. The survival rate directly drops down to 5.5%.

OPTIONS FOR STOMACH CANCER TREATMENT IN INDIA

India offers a wide range of treatments for Stomach Cancer. It depends on the health of the patients. The cancer progresses through its various phases. The many treatments and surgeries for stomach cancer in India performed include:

Surgery

The main motive of the surgery is to operate the cancerous cells around the tissues. If a tumour detects in the early stage, it is removable. It’s achievable with the help of Endoscopic mucosal resection, partial and total Gastrectomy.

Endoscopic mucosal resection

The specialist uses this technique during the early stages of stomach cancer. This operation is hustle free. The surgeon passes a long tube with a camera down the throat. Surgical tools pass through the endoscope. The interior region of the abdomen is cut open, along with the tumour.

Total Gastrectomy

A Surgeon performs Gastrectomy when cancer has spread into the stomach. The surgery involves detaching the entire abdomen, nearby lymph nodes, omentum, spleen parts, and oesophagus. The oesophagus ends are attached to the stomach. It helps the food to travel down the intestine.

Partial Gastrectomy

Surgery repairs the damaged parts of the stomach, oesophagus, and intestines. The remaining area of the stomach is attached after the procedure ends. Eating becomes easier by surgically removing a tiny area of the whole abdomen.

Radiotherapy

A high-intensity radiation dose destroys the cancer cells. Due to the risk of harm to other organs, the usage of this therapy is rare. However, an oncologist

might recommend it as a treatment option in the most advanced cancer stage. This kind of therapy treats bleeding cell-induced anaemia. Patients must lie on a machine, and radiation passes through the stomach, with a radiographer holding the patient in the correct position. This method ensures that only cancer cells, not healthy cells, are destroyed. This treatment consists of five sessions per week. The effects of radiotherapy last up to 5 weeks to prevent cells from returning. In advanced stages, effects generally last for 1 to 2 weeks. Some of the side effects of this therapy are nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness and darkening of the skin.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats cancer at the 2nd and 3rd stages. Several medications work together to destroy the stomach tumour. It utilises a unique medicine called cytotoxic. Cytotoxic drugs prevent malignant cells from proliferating and growing. The procedure is employed once the cells have established themselves in remote places of the body. Neoadjuvant medications lower the number of cells before surgery. After the surgery, it destroys the remaining cells and is termed adjuvant. Neoadjuvant also aids in symptom relief in advanced cancer stages. You can use both radiation and this treatment at the same time. Some side effects include nerve damage, hair loss, nausea, vomiting and anaemia. Skin redness and weight loss are also possible side effects.

Targeted medications

This treatment targets proteins produced by cancer cells. Ramucirumab and Trastuzumab are two immune-targeting medications. The targeted treatment uses systemic therapy in combination. It treats both cancer recurrence and cancer in stage 4.

Immunotherapy

Immune cells protect the body by killing bacteria and foreign materials. Use of medication-assisted therapy, including cytokines, these medicines fight cancer cells investing the immune system. Biological treatment is another term for it. Advanced cancer or recurrent cancer is diagnosed with it. Patients get two or more combination therapies to help them live longer. The best Gastroenterologists in India advise the treatment according to the patient’s condition, age, stage and health. Side effects are fatigue, diarrhoea, mouth soreness, rashes, headaches, muscle pain, shortness of breath and pneumonitis.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms are unnoticed due to unexpected weight loss and stomach pain. It can also be confused with other conditions and may not be dangerous. Each person will experience their symptoms differently.

A few of the most common primary signs are as follows:

1.  Indigestion and Heartburn
2.  Pain in the stomach
3.  Feeling uneasy and bloating
4.  Full stomach after eating less
5. Swallowing problem and frequent burping

A few of the secondary symptoms are as follows:

1. Bloody or black stool
2. Appetite loss
3. Loss of weight
4. Vomiting blood
5. Diarrhoea and constipation
6. Weakness

More Info About Stomach Cancer Treatment in India

Success Rate of Stomach Cancer Treatment in India

The treatment and therapy depend upon various stages and survival rates. With early cancer detection in stage 0, the expected survival rate is 69.9%. In case cancer spreads to other organs. The survival rate directly drops down to 5.5%.