Five early symptoms of gastric cancer How to treat gastric cancer

The five early symptoms of gastric cancer include stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and black stools. If these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for further examination and diagnosis. The treatment of gastric cancer mainly includes surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The specific treatment plan should be selected according to the patient's condition.

1. Five early symptoms of gastric cancer

1. Stomach pain

This is one of the most common early symptoms of gastric cancer, usually manifested as dull pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. The pain is often intermittent and is often mistaken for gastritis or gastric ulcer. As the disease progresses, the pain may worsen or become persistent. If stomach pain occurs for a long time without obvious causes, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is another common symptom of gastric cancer. Patients often feel uncomfortable or even lose their appetite after eating, especially against meat. This indicates that there may be lesions in the stomach that affect the normal digestive function.

3. Weight loss

Even if the diet is not significantly reduced, the patient may lose weight significantly, which may be due to metabolic disorders caused by gastric cancer or reduced food intake. If unexplained weight loss occurs in a short period of time, special attention should be paid.

4. Nausea and vomiting

Patients may also experience nausea or vomiting, especially after eating. This may be because the stomach tumor affects the emptying function of the stomach, and in severe cases, it may be accompanied by vomiting blood.

5. Abnormal stool color (black stool)

Gastric bleeding caused by gastric cancer may cause the patient's stool to turn black (i.e. tarry stool), which is usually one of the important signs that the disease has entered a later stage. If the stool color continues to be abnormal, you must go to the hospital for treatment in time.

Treatment of Gastric Cancer

Treatment for gastric cancer requires a personalized plan based on the stage, tumor size, location, and the patient's physical condition. The following are some common treatments:

1. Surgery

Surgery is the main method for treating gastric cancer, especially for patients with early-stage gastric cancer.

- Partial gastrectomy: Suitable for patients with localized tumors, it removes the lesion and preserves some healthy stomach tissue.

- Radical gastrectomy: This is for patients whose tumors have spread widely but have not yet metastasized to distant sites. The entire stomach is removed and the digestive tract is reconstructed.

-Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery: suitable for patients with early gastric cancer, with less trauma and faster recovery.

2. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is usually used for postoperative adjuvant therapy or control of advanced gastric cancer. Commonly used chemotherapy drugs in clinical practice include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin and docetaxel, which can effectively relieve symptoms and prolong survival.

3. Targeted therapy

Targeted drugs can prevent the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting tumor-specific molecular signaling pathways. For example, trastuzumab (Herceptin), a targeted drug targeting HER2 gene mutations, has significant effects on some patients.

3. The importance of early screening and life adjustment

Prevention and early detection of gastric cancer are crucial to improving the cure rate, and regular screening and lifestyle intervention are particularly important. For example:

- Regularly undergo gastroscopy examinations, especially for those with a family history of gastric cancer, who should undergo early screening;

-Avoid long-term consumption of pickled, smoked and high-salt foods, and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables;

- Pay special attention to the treatment and management of underlying gastric diseases such as chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer, conduct regular check-ups, and do not ignore changes in symptoms.

If you find early symptoms of gastric cancer, do not delay and go to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible to improve the treatment effect and survival rate. At the same time, maintaining a healthy diet and regular living habits can also help reduce the risk of gastric cancer.