gastric fundus cancer

Gastric Fundus Cancer: A Rare but Serious Form of Stomach Cancer

Gastric fundus cancer, also known as gastric fundus carcinoma, is a rare type of stomach cancer that specifically occurs in the gastric fundus. The gastric fundus is the upper part of the stomach, near the cardia (the entrance to the stomach from the esophagus).

• Definition: Gastric fundus cancer is a carcinoma that arises from the fundus of the stomach [5].
• Incidence: This type of cancer accounts for approximately 1% of early gastric cancers [7].

Characteristics and Symptoms

Gastric fundus cancer is a rare subtype of gastric cancer with well-differentiated tissue and clear boundaries. The symptoms of this cancer can be similar to those of other types of stomach cancer, including:

• Loss of appetite
• Trouble swallowing
• Fatigue or weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss [6]

Prevalence and Risk Factors

While gastric fundus cancer is rare, it's essential to note that the overall incidence of stomach cancer has declined significantly over the past two decades. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing this type of cancer, including:

• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Epstein–Barr virus infection
• Dietary habits involving salt and salted food intake
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking [13]

Importance of Early Detection

Given its rarity, gastric fundus cancer can often go undetected until its advanced stages. Therefore, it's crucial to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors associated with this type of cancer.

References: [5] - Definition of Gastric Fundus Carcinoma [6] - Symptoms of Stomach Cancer [7] - Incidence of Gastric Fundus Cancer [13] - Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer

Early-stage symptoms may be vague and mild

Gastric fundus cancer, a type of stomach cancer, often does not produce noticeable symptoms in its early stages [1]. However, as the cancer advances, the first signs can include:

• Heartburn and indigestion [4]
• Feeling bloated after eating [6]
• Slight nausea [4]
• Loss of appetite [2]

Advanced-stage symptoms may be more severe

In later stages, gastric fundus cancer can cause more severe symptoms, including:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) [7]
• Belly pain and discomfort [5]
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food (early satiety) [5]
• Weight loss and fatigue [4]

Other possible symptoms

Some people may experience other symptoms, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting [4]
• Melena or pallor from anemia [7]
• Hematemesis (vomiting blood) [7]
• Unexplained weight loss [4]

It's essential to note that these symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, making it challenging to diagnose gastric fundus cancer in its early stages. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References:

[1] Context result 3 [2] Context result 4 [3] Context result 5 [4] Context results 6, 7, 9, 10, 14 [5] Context results 5, 15 [6] Context result 6 [7] Context results 7, 11

Gastric fundus cancer, also known as stomach cancer, can be diagnosed using various tests and procedures. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used to diagnose gastric fundus cancer:

• Upper endoscopy with biopsy: This is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth and into the stomach. A small sample of tissue (biopsy) is taken from the lining of the stomach for examination under a microscope. [1][2]
• Barium swallow: This test involves swallowing a liquid containing barium, which coats the inside of the esophagus and stomach. X-rays are then taken to show any abnormalities in the shape or size of the esophagus or stomach. [3][8]
• CT (CAT) scan: A CT scan uses computerized technology to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body, including the stomach and surrounding tissues. This test can help identify tumors and determine their size and location. [1][4]
• Biomarker testing: Biomarkers are substances in the blood or tissue that can indicate the presence of cancer. Testing for biomarkers such as CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) or CA 19-9 can help diagnose gastric fundus cancer. [1]

It's worth noting that some tests may be used to screen for stomach cancer in people who do not have symptoms, but these are typically done on a larger scale and not specifically for the gastric fundus.

References: [1] May 31, 2023 — Tests to diagnose stomach cancer · Upper endoscopy with biopsy · Barium swallow · CT (CAT) scan · Biomarker testing. Biomarker testing is a way ... [2] Jun 19, 2024 — Endoscopy ... Sometimes tests are used to look for stomach cancer in people who don't have symptoms. [3] Stage IV means that it's spread to other organs. Upper endoscopy is commonly used to diagnose stomach cancer. [4] by JC LAYKE · 2004 · Cited by 271 — Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the preferred diagnostic modality for evaluation of patients in whom stomach cancer is suspected. Accurate staging ... [5] by JTPD Hallinan · 2013 · Cited by 210 — Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the preferred technique for detection of GC which is also useful in obtaining histological confirmation of suspicious ...

Treatment Options for Gastric Fundus Cancer

Gastric fundus cancer, also known as stomach cancer, can be treated with various drug therapies depending on the stage and extent of the disease.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used before surgery to treat stage 2 and stage 3 gastric cancers. Systemic chemotherapy might help shrink the cancer so that it can be more easily removed surgically [2].
• Targeted Therapy: Trastuzumab is a drug that targets a certain protein called HER2, which is found to varying degrees in stomach cancer cells. This targeted therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments [4].
• Immunotherapy: Some patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer may live longer if they are treated with the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) plus chemotherapy [5].

First-Line Treatment Options

The first-line treatment options for gastric fundus cancer depend on the extent of the disease. For stage 2 and stage 3 cancers, chemotherapy is often used before surgery to shrink the tumor. The platinum fluoropyrimidine-based treatment is accepted worldwide as a first-line therapy in many countries [7].

Additional Treatment Options

Other treatment options include:

• Radiation Therapy: Radiation can also help relieve symptoms and may be used in combination with other treatments.
• Targeted Drug Therapy: Targeted drug therapy zeroes in on weaknesses in cancer cells, causing them to die. It's often used with chemotherapy in advanced cases.

Recent FDA Approval

In 2021, the FDA approved nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma [9].

Current Treatment Guidelines

The current treatment guidelines recommend platinum-based combination chemotherapy as a first-line regimen for gastric fundus cancer. Other regimens may also be used depending on individual patient factors [10].

Differential Diagnoses for Gastric Fundus Cancer

Gastric fundus cancer, also known as gastric adenocarcinoma, can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in presentation with other conditions. The following are some differential diagnoses that should be considered when evaluating gastric fundus cancer:

• Acute gastritis: This is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, which can present with symptoms similar to gastric cancer, such as abdominal pain and weight loss [1].
• Gastric lymphoma: A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that affects the stomach, which can be difficult to distinguish from gastric adenocarcinoma based on clinical presentation alone [3].
• Gastric stromal tumor (GIST): A rare tumor that arises from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach wall, which can present with similar symptoms to gastric cancer [5].
• Gastritis: Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, which can be a precursor to gastric cancer or mimic its presentation [7].
• Menetrier disease: A rare condition characterized by hypertrophy of the stomach mucosa, which can present with similar symptoms to gastric cancer [4].

Key Considerations

When evaluating patients for gastric fundus cancer, it is essential to consider these differential diagnoses and perform a thorough clinical evaluation, including imaging studies and endoscopic biopsies. Accurate diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, surgeons, and pathologists.

References:

[1] SKR Mukkamalla (2023) - Differential Diagnosis [Context 1] [4] JC LAYKE (2004) - Ninety-five percent of all malignant gastric tumors are adenocarcinomas; the remaining 5 percent include lymphomas, stromal tumors, and other ... [Context 4] [5] May 24, 2022 - The differential diagnosis for gastric stromal tumors includes benign lesions such as true leiomyoma, schwannoma, lipoma, ectopic pancreas, and sarcomas. [Context 5] [7] Jul 30, 2020 - Stomach cancer must be differentiated from other diseases presenting with episodic abdominal pain, weight loss and loss of appetite such as ... [Context 7]