obsolete malignant neoplasm of abdomen

Stomach Cancer: An Obsolete Malignant Neoplasm of the Abdomen

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the stomach, an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells in the stomach lining.

Types of Stomach Cancer

There are several types of stomach cancer, but most cases (about 95%) start in the glandular tissue that lines the stomach. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, which begins in the inner lining of the stomach. Other rare types include localized gastric lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and leiomyosarcomas.

Symptoms

Stomach cancer often doesn't cause symptoms until it's more advanced. Common symptoms may include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Stomach pain or discomfort
• Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
• A sense of fullness, even after eating

These symptoms can be easily mistaken for other conditions, such as indigestion or reflux.

Demographics

Stomach cancer is most often seen in people in their late 60s through 80s. It's a relatively rare disease in the United States but is more common worldwide, particularly in Japan, China, Chile, and Iceland.

Cancer Stage

The cancer stage of stomach cancer can vary from person to person. In general, it starts with the growth of cancer cells in the inner lining of the stomach, which can then spread to deeper layers and lymph nodes.

• Stage 2A: The cancer has grown into deeper layers of the stomach lining and has spread to 3 to 6 lymph nodes.
• Stage 5: The main tumor is growing in the muscularis propria (the middle layer of the stomach wall).

References

[1] Stomach cancer tends to develop slowly over time, usually over many years. [Context #1] [2] Most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which start from gland cells that line the inside of the stomach. [Context #12] [3] The most common type is adenocarcinoma, one that starts from the stomach's inner lining. [Context #7] [4] Stomach cancer is when abnormal cells in the stomach start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. [Context #9] [5] Abdominal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in the abdomen, the area between the lower chest and the groin. [Context #10] [6] Stomach cancer is most often seen in people in their late 60s through 80s. Almost all stomach cancers (about 95%) start in the glandular tissue that lines the stomach. [Context #14]

Common Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease if left undiagnosed or untreated. While it's essential to note that many stomach cancers don't cause symptoms until they're more advanced, there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for.

Early-Stage Symptoms

In the early stages of stomach cancer, symptoms may be mild and can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as indigestion or reflux. However, some possible early-stage symptoms include:

• Poor appetite
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food

Advanced-Stage Symptoms

As stomach cancer progresses to more advanced stages, symptoms can become more severe and may include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting blood
• Tarry (dark, sticky) stools

Other Possible Symptoms

Some people with stomach cancer may experience other symptoms such as:

• Persistent indigestion and heartburn
• Trapped wind and frequent burping
• Feeling very full or bloated after meals
• Mild nausea

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

References

[1] Symptoms. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include: Trouble swallowing; Belly pain; Feeling bloated after eating; ... Later stages of stomach cancer might cause symptoms such as feeling very tired, losing weight without trying, vomiting blood and having black stools. [Context 1]

[2] Most stomach cancers don’t cause any symptoms until they’re more advanced, and they can mimic indigestion or reflux. [Context 2]

[3] Early-stage stomach cancer (gastric cancer) rarely causes symptoms. In countries where screening for stomach cancer is not routine, such as the United States, most stomach cancers aren’t found until they’ve grown fairly large or have spread outside the stomach. When there are stomach cancer symptoms and signs, they can include: Poor appetite [Context 3]

[4] Symptoms of stomach cancer include: Loss of appetite. [Context 5]

[5] Common signs and symptoms of stomach cancer include indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite and bloating. [Context 6]

[6] Oct 9, 2024 — persistent indigestion and heartburn · trapped wind and frequent burping · feeling very full or bloated after meals · persistent stomach pain. [Context 7]

[7] What are symptoms of gastric cancer? · Unexplained weight loss · Severe abdominal pain · Nausea and vomiting · Loss of appetite · Vomiting blood · Tarry (dark, sticky) ... [Context 8]

[8] Oct 30, 2024 — Stomach Cancer Symptoms · indigestion and stomach discomfort · a bloated feeling after eating · mild nausea · loss of appetite · heartburn. [Context 9]

[9] Over the last 10 years, stomach cancer diagnoses have declined, but with common symptoms like heartburn, nausea and fatigue, it can be hard to detect. [Context 10]

[10] Abdominal Cancer Information Including Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Causes, Videos, Forums, and local community support. ... Regular screening, such as a colonoscopy, can look for early signs of colorectal cancer. Other types of abdominal cancer, especially pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and liver cancer, can be more difficult to detect ... [Context 11]

[11] In some cases, people with stomach cancer may have gastric symptoms, such as persistent indigestion, nausea, and abdominal pain or discomfort. [Context 12]

[12] Unfortunately, stomach cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages, and many symptoms may not happen until the cancer is advanced. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include: Difficulty swallowing. Belly pain. Feeling bloated after eating. Feeling full after eating small amounts of food. [Context 14]

Based on the provided context, it appears that you are looking for diagnostic tests related to stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer), which is an obsolete term for a type of malignant neoplasm found in the abdomen.

Diagnostic Tests:

To diagnose stomach cancer, several tests and procedures can be used. These include:

• Upper endoscopy with biopsy: A thin, lighted tube called an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and down the throat to check for abnormal areas in the stomach. A sample of tissue (biopsy) may also be taken for further examination.
• Blood tests: While a single blood test cannot diagnose stomach cancer, various blood tests can provide important indicators about your health and may indicate whether other organ systems are being affected by cancer. These include complete blood count (CBC) tests to check for anemia.
• Imaging tests: Tests such as upper endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging studies can help detect if stomach cancer is present and determine the size and location of the tumor.
• Biopsy: A doctor removes a sample of stomach tissue with a needle during this procedure. The tissue is sent for further examination to confirm the presence of cancer.

Additional Tests:

Other tests may be used in conjunction with these procedures, such as:

• Gastroscopy (endoscopy): This test looks for any problems in your stomach, including stomach cancer.
• Genetic tests: Next-generation DNA sequencing tests can look for gene changes (mutations or variants) in tumor cells that are linked to cancer.

Diagnosing Stomach Cancer:

The tools a doctor uses to diagnose stomach cancer depend on a person's symptoms, medical history, and previous test results. A thorough and accurate diagnosis is the first step in developing a treatment plan for stomach cancer.

References:

• [1] Tests to diagnose stomach cancer.
• [2] Stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer) is usually found when a person goes to the doctor because of signs or symptoms they are having.
• [3] A blood test can't diagnose stomach cancer, but it can give your provider clues about your health.
• [4] A thorough and accurate stomach cancer diagnosis is the first step in developing a treatment plan.
• [5] The tests help to diagnose stomach cancer and determine the best treatment for you.
• [6] Blood tests: No one blood test can definitely diagnose you with stomach cancer, but they can provide important indicators about your health.
• [7] Diagnostic tests may include blood tests, biopsy, and imaging studies.
• [8] What are the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer?
• [9] This test is called a gastroscopy (a type of endoscopy).
• [10] Tests for diagnosing stomach cancer can include upper endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests.
• [11] Learn more about the role of pathology in diagnosing cancer.
• [12] Diagnosing stomach cancer involves different types of tests.

Treatment Options for Abdominal Malignancies

The treatment of stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, has evolved over the years to include various drug therapies. Here are some of the current treatment options:

• Chemotherapy: This is a type of treatment that uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy.
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of chemotherapy that uses medications to specifically target cancer cells. This approach has shown promise in treating stomach cancer, especially when combined with immunotherapy.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Specific Drugs Used in Stomach Cancer Treatment

Some of the specific drugs used in stomach cancer treatment include:

• Trastuzumab (Herceptin): This is a targeted therapy drug that is used to treat HER2-positive stomach cancer.
• Ramucirumab: This is another targeted therapy drug that is used to treat advanced stomach cancer.
• Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab: These are immunotherapy drugs that have shown promise in treating stomach cancer.

Regional Chemotherapy

There is also a type of regional chemotherapy called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or hot chemotherapy, which is being studied to treat stomach cancer. This treatment involves warming the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy drugs after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

These treatment options are based on information from various sources [1-5].

References:

[1] Context 3: Chemotherapy can be given before surgery for stomach cancer. [2] Context 4: Chemotherapy (“chemo”) uses medications to destroy cancer cells. [3] Context 8: Targeted therapy drugs used for stomach cancer · Trastuzumab (Herceptin and biosimilars) · Ramucirumab (Cyramza) · Nivolumab (Opdivo) · Pembrolizumab (Keytruda). [4] Context 10: Treatment

The differential diagnosis for an obsolete malignant neoplasm of the abdomen involves considering a wide range of possibilities, including:

• Benign conditions: Such as lipomas, inflammatory processes, and cysts, which can mimic the appearance of malignant tumors on imaging studies [1][2].
• Malignant tumors: Including carcinoid tumors, ovarian tumors or cysts, appendiceal abscesses, cecal carcinoma, Crohn's disease, pelvic kidney, amoebiasis, psoas abscess, and others [3][4][5].
• Rare and aggressive neoplasms: Such as desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and mesenteric masses with a wide differential diagnosis including neoplastic, infectious, or inflammatory etiologies [6][7][8].

It's worth noting that the imaging approach to diagnosis varies by location, with contrast-enhanced CT and ultrasound examination being accurate for intra-abdominal masses, while MRI of the body wall may be helpful in characterizing abdominal wall masses [9][10].

In addition, clinical evaluation and history are important for developing a differential diagnosis, as they can provide clues about the underlying cause of the mass [11].