10 Most Common Cancers
5. Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer was the 5th commonest cancer in 2018 with a total of 1,033,701 newly diagnosed cases and representing 6.1% of all cancers. It is cancer that originates from the stomach lining. It can cause symptoms such as appetite loss, upper abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, weight loss, and jaundice.
It can spread to other parts of the body especially the lungs, liver, bones, and lymph nodes. It is most commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Risk factors include poor diet, smoking, obesity, and positive family history. Diagnosis is via a biopsy through endoscopy followed by medical imaging to assess the extent of the cancer. Treatment includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Palliative care is recommended for advanced cases.
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