Many patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases report that conditions like gastritis can eventually lead to cancer. But is this true? Should those suffering from gastritis be concerned?
Most often, cancer arises from the atrophic form of gastritis, in which destructive processes occur, leading to metaplasia and, ultimately, carcinoma. The likelihood of chronic gastritis transforming into stomach cancer is relatively low, but patients should not be complacent. So how closely are gastritis and stomach cancer linked? To learn more, visit gastritinfo.com.
Stomach Cancer – What Is It?
Stomach cancer is an extremely dangerous disease, and detecting it early is difficult. Abdominal pain and nausea, common symptoms of gastritis or stomach ulcers, may mask something more serious. In many cases, stomach cancer starts without noticeable symptoms. To protect yourself, regular fibrogastroscopy screenings are crucial, along with avoiding harmful habits and heavy foods.
Stomach cancer begins with damage to the mucosal lining of the organ, and metastases can spread quickly, affecting nearby organs, even the lungs. In Russia, early diagnosis of stomach cancer is often delayed due to a lack of medical expertise, insufficient equipment, and a general disregard for health. As a result, stomach cancer ranks second in terms of cancer-related mortality, claiming 12% of men and 10% of women with malignant tumors.
In terms of incidence, stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the country. In 2012, the incidence rate was 26%. It affects men more frequently (31.9%) than women (21%). Age is also a significant factor, with most patients over 50. The only hopeful trend is that the incidence of stomach cancer has decreased by 24% over the past decade.
Types of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer can be classified by the degree of tumor cell differentiation, the location of the tumor, and its growth pattern.
- Gastric Adenocarcinoma: The most common type, formed by glandular cells of the mucous membrane. It is moderately differentiated.
- Signet Ring Cell Cancer: Characterized by diffuse growth, rapid development, and early metastasis, predominantly affecting women.
- Infiltrative Gastric Cancer: The tumor lacks clear boundaries and invades the stomach wall. It often develops in younger patients and metastasizes early.
- Poorly Differentiated Gastric Cancer: This type features rapid growth and surrounding inflammation or necrosis. The cancer cells invade the stomach wall, quickly involving regional lymph nodes and distant organs.
Gastritis and Stomach Cancer – What’s the Difference?
There are differing opinions on how likely gastritis is to develop into stomach cancer. Some experts argue that any chronic atrophic or polypoid inflammation of the stomach should be considered a potentially precancerous condition. This group of doctors even coined the term “gastritis cancer,” similar to terms like “ulcer-cancer” and “polyp-cancer.”
Others, however, believe that while inflammation can create a favorable environment for malignant tumor development, it is not necessarily a direct cause. Many people with severe gastritis do not develop cancer until very old age or may never develop it at all.
Causes of Gastritis and Stomach Cancer
Current gastroenterology research suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection plays a significant role in the development of stomach cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, chronic gastritis, gastric surgery, pernicious anemia, and genetic predisposition. Conditions with a high risk of developing cancer include gastric adenomas, atrophic gastritis, and chronic gastric ulcers.
Stomach cancer most often develops in middle-aged and older individuals, with men being more susceptible. However, the absence of risk factors does not guarantee immunity from the disease. Similarly, people with multiple carcinogenic factors do not always develop stomach cancer.
Atrophic Gastritis as a Cause of Stomach Cancer
Atrophic gastritis, which develops slowly, is often caused by long-term Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune processes where the body’s antibodies damage G-cells in the stomach. This weakens the stomach lining’s protective abilities, allowing toxins and free radicals to harm cell nuclei, leading to cancerous mutations and intestinal metaplasia.
As atrophic gastritis progresses, the mucosal lining resembles small intestinal epithelium, eventually taking on the characteristics of colonic epithelium. The more severe the metaplasia, the higher the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. Helicobacter pylori is classified as a biological carcinogen, and untreated infections can eventually lead to stomach cancer.
In autoimmune gastritis, antibodies attack the stomach’s tissues, leading to a decrease in stomach acidity and a reduction in vitamin B12 absorption. If combined with a Helicobacter pylori infection, the risk of developing a precancerous condition increases significantly.
Atrophic gastritis can also result from the overuse of medications, alcohol, stress, physical exhaustion, certain occupations, genetic predisposition, and severe underlying diseases.
Can Gastritis Cause Stomach Cancer?
Thanks to recent medical advancements, gastritis is now treatable and, in many cases, curable. However, in Russia, chronic gastritis is still often treated only with diet and supportive therapies, which may allow the condition to worsen over time and affect a larger area of the stomach. This progression can lead to more severe forms, such as peptic ulcers, which are much harder to cure and can even be life-threatening.
Untreated gastric conditions can ultimately lead to cancer. Stomach cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and often requires radical treatment, such as surgery. However, timely treatment of gastritis can prevent the development of cancer and improve life expectancy.
How to Distinguish Gastritis from Stomach Cancer
To differentiate gastritis from stomach cancer, a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests is required. These may include:
- Fibrogastroscopy with biopsy for a targeted sample
- Ultrasound or X-ray with barium to detect abnormalities
- Blood or urine tests for advanced cancer detection
- Palpation for large tumors that can be detected through abdominal examination
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
In its early stages, stomach cancer often shows no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Moderate pain in the epigastrium
- Heaviness after eating
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) in advanced stages
When the tumor affects the stomach wall deeply, patients may experience early satiety and gastric bleeding. These symptoms, however, can also be caused by other stomach or digestive issues, so it is essential to consult a gastroenterologist if any symptoms arise.
Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer
The diagnosis of stomach cancer is confirmed through histological examination of the tumor. Other diagnostic tools include:
- Gastroscopy for direct visualization
- X-ray and ultrasound to detect metastases and tumor spread
- Multislice CT for detailed imaging
- PET scans to assess tumor spread
- Laboratory tests to identify tumor markers
Treatment depends on the stage, tumor size, and spread of cancer. Surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are common methods. Early-stage cancers (stages 0 and 1) may be surgically removed completely, while advanced stages often require a combination of treatments.
Post-surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are used to suppress remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence. Patients must also focus on nutrition during treatment to support their body’s strength in fighting cancer.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Stomach Cancer
To lower the risk of stomach cancer, it is important to:
- Regularly monitor and treat precancerous conditions like chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers
- Maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Limit consumption of processed and unhealthy foods
- Follow medical advice for managing underlying health conditions
While the causes of stomach cancer are still not fully understood, early detection and treatment remain the most effective ways to reduce risk. Regular screenings, lifestyle changes, and prompt medical attention are key to preventing the progression of gastritis to cancer.