Jump to content

Stomach cancer: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
rm duplicate cat and incorrect cat
Kobra333 (talk | contribs)
Line 201: Line 201:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://yrmz.com/stomach Gastric Cancer Surgery Video]
* [[National Cancer Institute]] [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/gastric/HealthProfessional/page1 Gastric cancer treatment guidelines]
* [[National Cancer Institute]] [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/gastric/HealthProfessional/page1 Gastric cancer treatment guidelines]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=hgc GeneReview/NIH/UW entry on Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=hgc GeneReview/NIH/UW entry on Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer]

Revision as of 12:10, 6 March 2010

Stomach cancer
SpecialtyOncology, gastroenterology Edit this on Wikidata

Gastric cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver. Stomach cancer causes about 800,000 deaths worldwide per year.[1]

Signs and symptoms

Endoscopic image of linitis plastica, a type of stomach cancer where the entire stomach is invaded, leading to a leather bottle-like appearance with blood coming out of it.

Stomach cancer is often asymptomatic or causes only nonspecific symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms occur, the cancer has generally metastasized to other parts of the body, one of the main reasons for its poor prognosis. Stomach cancer can cause the following signs and symptoms:

Early

Late

These can be symptoms of other problems such as a stomach virus, gastric ulcer or tropical sprue and diagnosis should be done by a gastroenterologist or an oncologist.

Causes

Infection by Helicobacter pylori is believed to be the cause of most stomach cancer while autoimmune atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and various genetic factors are associated with increased risk levels. It is not currently believed that diet has any role to play.[2]

In more detail, H. pylori is the main risk factor in 65–80% of gastric cancers, but in only 2% of such infections.[3] Approximately ten percent of cases show a genetic component.[4] In Japan and other countries bracken consumption and spores are correlated with incidence of stomach cancer, though causality has yet to be established.[5]

Gastric cancer shows a male predominance in its incidence as up to three males are affected for every female. Estrogen may protect women against the development of this cancer form.[6] A very small percentage of diffuse-type gastric cancers (see Histopathology below) are thought to be genetic. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) has recently been identified and research is ongoing. However, genetic testing and treatment options are already available for families at risk.[7]

Some researchers [8] showed a correlation between Iodine deficiency or excess, iodine-deficient goitre and gastric cancer; a decrease of the incidence of death rate from stomach cancer after implementation of the effective I-prophylaxis was reported too.[9] The proposed mechanism of action is that iodide ion can function in gastric mucosa as an antioxidant reducing species that can detoxify poisonous reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. China being member of International Cancer Genome Consortium is leading efforts to map stomach cancer's complete genome.

Diagnosis

To find the cause of symptoms, the doctor asks about the patient's medical history, does a physical exam, and may order laboratory studies. The patient may also have one or all of the following exams:

  • Gastroscopic exam is the diagnostic method of choice. This involves insertion of a fibre optic camera into the stomach to visualize it.
  • Upper GI series (may be called barium roentgenogram)
  • Computed tomography or CT scanning of the abdomen may reveal gastric cancer, but is more useful to determine invasion into adjacent tissues, or the presence of spread to local lymph nodes.

Abnormal tissue seen in a gastroscope examination will be biopsied by the surgeon or gastroenterologist. This tissue is then sent to a pathologist for histological examination under a microscope to check for the presence of cancerous cells. A biopsy, with subsequent histological analysis, is the only sure way to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Various gastroscopic modalities have been developed to increased yield of detect mucosa with a dye that accentuates the cell structure and can identify areas of dysplasia. Endocytoscopy involves ultra-high magnification to visualize cellular structure to better determine areas of dysplasia. Other gastroscopic modalities such as optical coherence tomography are also being tested investigationally for similar applications.[10]

A number of cutaneous conditions are associated with gastric cancer. A condition of darkened hyperplasia of the skin, frequently of the axilla and groin, known as acanthosis nigricans, is associated with intra-abdominal cancers such as gastric cancer. Other cutaneous manifestations of gastric cancer include tripe palms (a similar darkening hyperplasia of the skin of the palms) and the sign of Leser-Trelat, which is the rapid development of skin lesions known as seborrheic keratoses.[11]

Histopathology

Poor to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. H&E stain.
Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. H&E stain.
Adenocarcinoma of the stomach and intestinal metaplasia. H&E stain.
  • Gastric adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the gastric mucosa. Stomach cancers are overwhelmingly adenocarcinomas (90%). [12] Histologically, there are two major types of gastric adenocarcinoma (Lauren classification): intestinal type or diffuse type. Adenocarcinomas tend to aggressively invade the gastric wall, infiltrating the muscularis mucosae, the submucosa, and thence the muscularis propria. Intestinal type adenocarcinoma tumor cells describe irregular tubular structures, harboring pluristratification, multiple lumens, reduced stroma ("back to back" aspect). Often, it associates intestinal metaplasia in neighboring mucosa. Depending on glandular architecture, cellular pleomorphism and mucosecretion, adenocarcinoma may present 3 degrees of differentiation: well, moderate and poorly differentiate. Diffuse type adenocarcinoma (mucinous, colloid, linitis plastica, leather-bottle stomach) Tumor cells are discohesive and secrete mucus which is delivered in the interstitium producing large pools of mucus/colloid (optically "empty" spaces). It is poorly differentiated. If the mucus remains inside the tumor cell, it pushes the nucleus at the purpley- "signet-ring cell".
  • Around 5% of gastric carcinomas are lymphomas (MALTomas, or MALT lymphoma).[13]
  • Carcinoid and stromal tumors may also occur.

Staging

If cancer cells are found in the tissue sample, the next step is to stage, or find out the extent of the disease. Various tests determine whether the cancer has spread and, if so, what parts of the body are affected. Because stomach cancer can spread to the liver, the pancreas, and other organs near the stomach as well as to the lungs, the doctor may order a CT scan, a PET scan, an endoscopic ultrasound exam, or other tests to check these areas. Blood tests for tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) may be ordered, as their levels correlate to extent of metastasis, especially to the liver, and the cure rate.

Staging may not be complete until after surgery. The surgeon removes nearby lymph nodes and possibly samples of tissue from other areas in the abdomen for examination by a pathologist.

TNM staging is used

Management

Like any cancer, treatment is adapted to fit each person's individual needs and depends on the size, location, and extent of the tumor, the stage of the disease, and general health. Cancer of the stomach is difficult to cure unless it is found in an early stage (before it has begun to spread). Unfortunately, because early stomach cancer causes few symptoms, the disease is usually advanced when the diagnosis is made. Treatment for stomach cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. New treatment approaches such as biological therapy and improved ways of using current methods are being studied in clinical trials.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment and is the only hope of cure for stomach cancer. The surgeon removes part or all of the stomach, as well as the surrounding lymph nodes, with the basic goal of removing all cancer and a margin of normal tissue. Depending on the extent of invasion and the location of the tumor, surgery may also include removal of part of the intestine or pancreas. Tumors in the lower part of the stomach may call for a Billroth I or Billroth II procedure. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a treatment for early gastric cancer (tumor only involves the mucosa) that has been pioneered in Japan, but is also available in the United States at some centers. In this procedure, the tumor, together with the inner lining of stomach (mucosa), is removed from the wall of the stomach using an electrical wire loop through the endoscope. The advantage is that it is a much smaller operation than removing the stomach. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a similar technique pioneered in Japan, used to resect a large area of mucosa in one piece. If the pathologic examination of the resected specimen shows incomplete resection or deep invasion by tumor, the patient would need a formal stomach resection.

Surgical interventions are currently curative in less than 40% of cases, and, in cases of metastasis, may only be palliative.

Chemotherapy

The use of chemotherapy to treat stomach cancer has no established standard of care. Unfortunately, stomach cancer has not been especially sensitive to these drugs until recently, and historically served to palliatively reduce the size of the tumor and increase survival time. Some drugs used in stomach cancer treatment include: 5-FU (fluorouracil), BCNU (carmustine), methyl-CCNU (Semustine), and doxorubicin (Adriamycin), as well as Mitomycin C, and more recently cisplatin and taxotere in various combinations. The relative benefits of these drugs, alone and in combination, are unclear.[14] Scientists are exploring the benefits of giving chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor, or as adjuvant therapy after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Combination treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is also under study. Doctors are testing a treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdomen (intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion). Chemotherapy also is being studied as a treatment for cancer that has spread, and as a way to relieve symptoms of the disease. The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drugs the patient receives.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. When used, it is generally in combination with surgery and chemotherapy, or used only with chemotherapy in cases where the individual is unable to undergo surgery. Radiation therapy may be used to relieve pain or blockage by shrinking the tumor for palliation of incurable disease

Multimodality therapy

While previous studies of multimodality therapy (combinations of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy) gave mixed results, the Intergroup 0116 (SWOG 9008) study[15] showed a survival benefit to the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with nonmetastatic, completely resected gastric cancer. Patients were randomized after surgery to the standard group of observation alone, or the study arm of combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Those in the study arm receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy survived on average 36 months; compared to 27 months with observation.

Epidemiology

Age-standardized death from stomach cancer per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.[16]
  no data
  less than 3.5
  3.5-8
  8-12.5
  12.5-17
  17-21.5
  21.5-26
  26-30.5
  30.5-35
  35-40
  40-45
  45-50
  more than 50

Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide with 930,000 cases diagnosed in 2002.[17] It is a disease with a high death rate (~800,000 per year) making it the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide after lung cancer.[1] It is more common in men and in developing countries.[17][18]

It represents roughly 2% (25,500 cases) of all new cancer cases yearly in the United States, but it is more common in other countries. It is the leading cancer type in Korea, with 20.8% of malignant neoplasms.

Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach cancer, with a six month survival rate of 65% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 15% of those diagnosed in late stages.

One in a million people under the age of 55 seeking medical attention for indigestion have stomach cancer [19] and one in fifty of all ages seeking medical attention for burping and indigestion have stomach cancer.[20] Out of 10 million people in the Czech Republic, only 3 new cases of stomach cancer in people under thirty years of age in 1999 were diagnosed.[21] Other studies show that less than 5% of stomach cancers occur in people under 40 years of age with 81.1% of that 5% in the age-group of 30 to 39 and 18.9% in the age-group of 20 to 29.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b "Cancer (Fact sheet N°297)". World Health Organization. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "Tumors of the GI Tract, Merck Manual (Professional)". Merck. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  3. ^ "Proceedings of the fourth Global Vaccine Research Forum" (PDF). Initiative for Vaccine Research team of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. WHO. April 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-11. Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer…
  4. ^ Lee HJ, Yang HK, Ahn YO (2002). "Gastric cancer in Korea". Gastric Cancer : Official Journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. 5 (3): 177–82. doi:10.1007/s101200200031. PMID 12378346. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Alonso-Amelot ME, Avendaño M (2002). "Human carcinogenesis and bracken fern: a review of the evidence". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 9 (6): 675–86. PMID 11945131. Retrieved 2009-06-20. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Chandanos, Evangelos (2007). "Estrogen in the development of esophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma" (PDF). Karolinska Institutet. ISBN 978-91-7357-370-2. Retrieved 2009-06-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |ISBN-status= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Brooks-Wilson AR, Kaurah P, Suriano G; et al. (2004). "Germline E-cadherin mutations in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: assessment of 42 new families and review of genetic screening criteria". J. Med. Genet. 41 (7): 508–17. doi:10.1136/jmg.2004.018275. PMC 1735838. PMID 15235021. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Venturi S, Venturi A, Cimini D, Arduini C, Venturi M, Guidi A (1993). "A new hypothesis: iodine and gastric cancer". Eur. J. Cancer Prev. 2 (1): 17–23. PMID 8428171. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    Venturi S, Venturi M (1999). "Iodide, thyroid and stomach carcinogenesis: evolutionary story of a primitive antioxidant?". Eur. J. Endocrinol. 140 (4): 371–2. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1400371. PMID 10097259. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
    Venturi S, Donati FM, Venturi A, Venturi M, Grossi L, Guidi A (2000). "Role of iodine in evolution and carcinogenesis of thyroid, breast and stomach". Adv Clin Path. 4 (1): 11–7. PMID 10936894. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    Abnet CC, Fan JH, Kamangar F; et al. (2006). "Self-reported goiter is associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma in a large population-based Chinese cohort". Int. J. Cancer. 119 (6): 1508–10. doi:10.1002/ijc.2199310.1002/ijc.21993. PMID 16642482. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |doi_brokendate= ignored (|doi-broken-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    Behrouzian R, Aghdami N (2004). "Urinary iodine/creatinine ratio in patients with stomach cancer in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran". East. Mediterr. Health J. 10 (6): 921–4. PMID 16335780. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
    Gulaboglu M, Yildiz L, Celebi F, Gul M, Peker K (2005). "Comparison of iodine contents in gastric cancer and surrounding normal tissues". Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 43 (6): 581–4. doi:10.1515/CCLM.2005.101. PMID 16006252.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Gołkowski F, Szybiński Z, Rachtan J; et al. (2007). "Iodine prophylaxis--the protective factor against stomach cancer in iodine deficient areas". Eur J Nutr. 46 (5): 251–6. doi:10.1007/s00394-007-0657-8. PMID 17497074. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Inoue H, Kudo SE, Shiokawa A (2005). "Technology insight: Laser-scanning confocal microscopy and endocytoscopy for cellular observation of the gastrointestinal tract". Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2 (1): 31–7. doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0072. PMID 16265098. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Pentenero M, Carrozzo M, Pagano M, Gandolfo S (2004). "Oral acanthosis nigricans, tripe palms and sign of leser-trélat in a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma". Int. J. Dermatol. 43 (7): 530–2. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02159.x. PMID 15230897. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Kumar, et. al: Pathologic Basis of Disease: 8th ed., page 784. Saunders Elsevier, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-4160-3121-5.
  13. ^ Kumar, et. al: Pathologic Basis of Disease: 8th ed., page 786. Saunders Elsevier, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-4160-3121-5.
  14. ^ Scartozzi M, Galizia E, Verdecchia L; et al. (2007). "Chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: across the years for a standard of care". Expert Opin Pharmacother. 8 (6): 797–808. doi:10.1517/14656566.8.6.797. PMID 17425475. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Macdonald JS, Smalley SR, Benedetti J; et al. (2001). "Chemoradiotherapy after surgery compared with surgery alone for adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction". N. Engl. J. Med. 345 (10): 725–30. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa010187. PMID 11547741. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "WHO Disease and injury country estimates". World Health Organization. 2009. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ^ a b Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P (2005). "Global cancer statistics, 2002". CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 55 (2): 74–108. doi:10.3322/canjclin.55.2.74. PMID 15761078. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Are the number of cancer cases increasing or decreasing in the world?". WHO Online Q&A. WHO. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  19. ^ "Stomach cancer - symptoms, causes and treatment". Bupa. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  20. ^ "Stomach cancer symptoms: Cancer Research UK". CancerHelp UK. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  21. ^ Simsa J, Leffler J, Hoch J, Linke Z, Pádr R (2004). "Gastric cancer in young patients--is there any hope for them?" (PDF). Acta Chirurgica Belgica. 104 (6): 673–6. PMID 15663273. Retrieved 2009-06-20.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Gastric Cancer in Young Adults". Revista Brasileira de Cancerologia - Volume 46 n°3 Jul/Ago/Set 2000. Inca.gov.br. 2000. Retrieved 2009-05-11.