Gastric fluid

Gastric carcinoma, also known as stomach cancer, is a type of malignant tumor that originates from the lining of the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Etiology[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of gastric carcinoma is unknown, but several risk factors have been identified. These include Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary factors (such as consumption of smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables), tobacco smoking, and certain genetic conditions like hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Gastric carcinoma typically begins in the mucus-producing cells that line the stomach. It can grow along the stomach wall into the gastric muscles or it can penetrate the stomach's outer layer and spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes.

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of gastric carcinoma may include indigestion, stomach discomfort, nausea, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. However, in the early stages, gastric carcinoma often has no symptoms.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of gastric carcinoma typically involves a combination of endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment options for gastric carcinoma depend on the stage of the disease and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for gastric carcinoma is generally poor, due to the fact that the disease is often advanced by the time it is diagnosed. However, survival rates can be significantly improved if the cancer is detected and treated in its early stages.