Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in the inner lining of the stomach. Its development can be explained by a combination of factors, including age, eating habits and certain pre-existing gastric pathologies.
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Warning signs of stomach cancer
While stomach cancer may go unnoticed in its early stages, it usually manifests itself through digestive symptoms such as
- Difficulty digesting food and a feeling of heaviness after eating.
- Pain or discomfort in the stomach, including persistent heartburn.
- Unexplained loss of appetite and involuntary muscle loss.
- Nausea and vomiting, sometimes with blood.
- Early feeling of fullness, even after small meals.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis is crucial to improving the chances of recovery from stomach cancer.
Risk factors for gastric cancer
Risk factors for stomach cancer include
- Family history of stomach cancer.
- Stomach infection with Helicobacter pylori.
- Gastric pathologies (autoimmune atrophic gastritis or Menestrel's disease, etc.).
- Previous gastric surgery, such as partial gastrectomy.
- Diet low in fruits and vegetables.
- Diets high in salt or canned foods.
- Obesity.
- Cigarette smoking.
The presence of one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop stomach cancer. Conversely, the absence of risk factors does not completely rule out the possibility of developing the disease.
A healthy diet, regular physical activity, normal body weight, and not smoking can significantly reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
If you are at increased risk or have symptoms suggesting stomach cancer (persistent heartburn, indigestion, unexplained weight loss, etc.),you may wish to see one of our specialists for evaluation and follow-up.
Managing stomach cancer in Turkey
In Turkey, the fight against stomach cancer involves close collaboration between several medical specialists. This multidisciplinary team brings together the best experts to develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Here are the key players in this team:
- The gastroenterologist, a physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract, including the stomach and intestines.
- The surgical oncologist, a physician who specializes in treating cancer through surgery.
- The clinical oncologist, a physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer with drugs.
- The radiation oncologist, a doctor who specializes in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer.
- Pathologists, who specialize in interpreting laboratory tests and examining cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease.
- Radiologists, who specialize in the use of imaging tests to diagnose disease.
In addition to these specialists, the stomach cancer management team may include other professionals such as: physician assistants, oncology nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, etc.
This multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive, individualized management of gastric cancer in Turkey, offering patients the best chances of recovery and optimal quality of life.
Gastric cancer surgery in Turkey
For many stomach cancer patients, surgery offers the hope of a cure, especially if the cancer is found in an early stage (0, I, II, or III) and the patient's overall health permits. In combination with other treatments, it offers the best chance of beating the disease.
Types of surgery
The type of surgery chosen depends on the location and extent of the stomach cancer and the patient's health. The main options in Turkey are
- Endoscopic resection: Endoscopic removal of the cancer for early and small tumors.
- Partial gastrectomy: Removal of part of the stomach and affected lymph nodes.
- Total gastrectomy: Complete removal of the stomach, requiring reconstruction of the digestive system.
- Feeding tube placement: Provides an alternative route of nutrition if natural feeding is not possible after surgery.
- Palliative surgery: Aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, even if the cancer cannot be completely removed.
Goals of surgery
The main goal of surgery is to remove as many cancer cells as possible. Depending on the extent of the cancer, all or part of the stomach and surrounding lymph nodes may be removed.
Even if complete removal of the cancer is not possible, surgery can be beneficial by :
- Preventing bleeding from the tumor.
- Relieving gastric passage obstruction caused by the tumor.
- Improving the patient's quality of life.
Cure gastric cancer with Turquie Santé
A diagnosis of stomach cancer requires quick and effective action. At Turquie Santé, we understand the urgency of the situation and do everything in our power to provide you with advanced medical care from the very beginning.
Our therapeutic approach includes several essential components, including surgery, targeted chemotherapy and radiation therapy, individualized drug treatments, and more.
At Turquie Santé, you won't face your disease alone. Our team of expert oncologists, skilled surgeons and dedicated nurses are with you every step of the way, providing invaluable moral and psychological support. We will put you in touch with Turkey's leading oncologists and surgeons, renowned for their expertise.
We also guarantee you regular post-operative check-ups and attentive medical follow-up to ensure optimal monitoring of your health and early detection of any complications.
Turquie Santé has also thought of your comfort and well-being. This includes comfortable accommodation and VIP transfer services to relieve you of the logistical burden and allow you to concentrate on your recovery.
With Turquie Santé, you can be assured of excellent medical care and unparalleled human support to help you beat stomach and colon cancer.
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Surgery (total or partial gastrectomy) is the main treatment for gastric cancer in our clinics in Turkey. Chemotherapy before and after surgery is sometimes necessary.
The human being can live without a stomach, however, he must adopt new hygieno-dietetic habits, which can be mentioned as follows:
- Divide your meals over the day into 5 or 6 small meals, and chew the food well before swallowing it.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
- Remove sweet, frozen or too hot foods, cooked fat, and fibrous vegetables as well as the peel and grains of the fruit.
- Eat foods rich in protein: meats, fish, eggs.
- Consume: buter and oils without cooking, Gruyere, rice and corn, cassava starches and raw apples.
The chances of survival for stomach cancer discovered in the early stages are 71% to 80%. For stomach cancer discovered in stage 2, the chances of survival are 33% to 70%.
For stage 3, the chances of survival are 19% to 32%. As for stage 4 stomach cancer, 4% to 18% of patients survive.
Targeted therapy may be indicated for patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer as a complementary treatment to chemotherapy.
Recent studies have shown that Pembrolizumab (an antibody used as an anticancer medicine) could be considered as a complementary therapy in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma in our clinics Turkey.
