Gloria Vanderbilt, heiress and designer jeans queen, died Monday after a long battle with stomach cancer. She was 95.

Stomach cancer is one of the most painful forms of cancer. The debilitating pain is usually a late warning sign and it is the first symptom that leads to a stomach cancer diagnosis.

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Your stomach is part of your upper gastrointestinal tract (including small intestines). Your large intestines (ending at your rectum) make up the lower portion of your GI tract.

The digestion process begins in your mouth where powerful enzymes break down food before you swallow. The food then enters your esophagus – a long tube that carries food and fluid down to your stomach. Strong stomach acid and enzymes partially liquify stomach contents before it passes into the small intestines.

Stomach cancer occurs when healthy cells that line the stomach walls begin to grow and multiply over time, forming a tumor inside your stomach. The process is slow and the tumor can grow for years before it is discovered.

Stomach cancer is common among adults older than 50, people with a history of familial cancers, people who are of Asian (especially Korean or Japanese), South American, or Belarusian descent.
 

What Causes Stomach Cancer?

It isn’t clear what causes stomach cells to grow out of control. A variety of risk factors can trigger cancer cells to grow. Risk factors include:

  • Lymphoma (blood cancers)
  • H. Pylori bacteria (common bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers)
  • Tumors in other parts of the digestive system
  • Stomach polyps (growths of tissue on the stomach lining)
  • Stomach ulcers

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    What Can I Do to Prevent Stomach Cancer?

    Family history plays a role in stomach cancers. If you have a family history of cancer, you should be screened early for stomach cancer. One of the simplest tests is for the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in your stomach. H. pylori can lead to stomach cancer. If you test positive for H. pylori, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics by mouth.

    You can lower your risk of stomach cancer by:

  • Eating a well-balanced, low fat, low salt diet
  • Quitting smoking and drinking
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight

    • You are more likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer if you:

  • Eat a lot of salty or processed food
  • Eat too much meat
  • Have a history of alcohol abuse
  • Don’t exercise
  • Don’t store or cook food properly

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    How Common Is Stomach Cancer?

    Stomach cancer is an uncommon form of cancer. About 1 in 111 adults will be diagnosed with stomach cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Cancer Society.

    The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that stomach cancer is 1.7 percent of new cases diagnosed in the U.S.
     

    Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

    There are usually no early signs of stomach cancer. The cancer is usually diagnosed after it has advanced or metastasized to another part of the body.

    Signs and symptoms of late stage stomach cancer include:

  • Burning or sharp abdominal pain
  • Abdominal pain that is worse after eating
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fullness after eating small amount
  • Bloody stools
  • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
  • Excessive fatigue (feeling tired, weak)

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    How is Stomach Cancer Treated?

    Like pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer is one of the deadliest and hardest forms of cancer to treat because there are usually no early warning signs. Stomach cancer treatment includes:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery to remove tumors or part of stomach
  • Immunotherapy (vaccines and medication)

    • The exact treatment depends on the stage, location, your age and overall health. Late stage stomach cancer is very difficult to treat. The goal of treatment is to prevent the cancer from spreading to the:

  • Lungs
  • Lymph nodes
  • Liver
  • Intestines

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    This has been your Medical Minute.
     

    More Info On the Web

    Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer | Cancer.org

    Stomach Cancer | Healthline

    Stomach cancer, Signs and Symptoms | Mayo Clinic
     

    DISCLAIMER

    Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following information found on this blog.

    Photo by Gianni Penati/Condé Nast via Getty Images