Guide to Cancer of the Stomach

The primary location of stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer) is the pyloric area risk factors include polyps, pernicious anemia, hypochlohdria, gastrectomy (chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer), diets high in salt, preservatives and carbohydrates, diets low in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Cancer of the stomach is mostly commonly adenocarcinoma, adenocarcinoma cancer is a cancer that first starts in the inner layer of the stomach, then spreading through the wall of the stomach spreading out to the adjacent organs and lymph nodes and possibly metastasizing through the blood stream to distant organs. Stomach cancer can affect any of the 5 areas of the stomach the cardia, the fundus, the antrum, the prepyloric, and the pylorus.

Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer:

• Early stages may be asymptomatic (meaning showing no signs or symptoms)

• Vague epigastric discomfort or complaint of indigestion

• Postprandial fullness

• Ulcer like pain that does not respond to medication

• Anorexia (weight loss)

• Weakness

• Blood in stools

• Hematemesis

• Vomiting after fluids and meals

For the proper diagnosis to be completed a series of tests will be completed by the physicians these diagnostics will include GI series, endoscopic and gastroscopic examination, stool for occult blood, CBC, RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Once cancer has been diagnosed your patient will require medical management of the disease Surgery is required as either a partial or total gastric resection. Chemotherapy or radiation will likely be ordered as part as your patients recovery plan. Once the surgery has been completed your patient will be required to have ongoing ct scans of the abdomen region and endoscopy to ensure that the cancer does not return these are precautionary procedures taken to make sure if cancer cells come back they are caught at the earlier of times.

Nursing care and teaching: Pre and post operation care, Post operation drain care, NG tube care, incision care, Abdominal assessment, Emotional support, Possible Hospice, Family support, Patient Teaching and Nutritional Teaching.

The patient/client with stomach cancer will need plenty of emotional support as your patient / client will now have to overcome some drastic alterations to their lives.