Gastric Cancer:Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common cancer with high mortality worldwide.Highrate of GC deaths reported in China, Japan, and Korea. There are 56% new cases from Eastern Asia,41% from China,and11% from Japan. The common causes of GC include Helicobacter pylori infection which accounts for 60% of cases, pickled vegetables, smoking, alcohol intake and genetics. GC is often asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms. Early symptoms are associated with indigestion, heartburn, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool (melena],and weight loss. Patient's history and endoscopic examination is the diagnostic method. Cancer staging, and TNM (tumor, node, and metastasis),systems is diagnostic. Treatment for GC may include surgery, chemotherapy and/ or radiotherapy. New treatment approaches such as biological therapy combined with current methods are being studied in clinical trials. Prognosis of GC is generally poor due to metastasis and advanced age at presentation. Eradication of H.pylori infection, a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables was associated with lower risk of GC.