Risk factors for stomach cancer

Posted by Dr. Do Minh Hung - Head of General Surgery Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Scientists have found several risk factors for stomach cancer. Some can be controlled, others cannot.
Here are the risk factors for stomach cancer:

Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women.
The incidence of stomach cancer increases markedly in people over the age of 50. Most people are diagnosed with stomach cancer between the ages of 60 and 80. However, the disease tends to be detected in young people increasingly and often has a poor prognosis.

In the United States, stomach cancer is more common in Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders than in non-Hispanic whites.

Worldwide, stomach cancer is more common in Japan, China, Southern and Eastern Europe, and South and Central America. The disease is less common in North and West Africa, South Central Asia, and North America.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection appears to be a major cause of stomach cancer, especially cancer in the lower (distal) part of the stomach. Long-term H. pylori infection can lead to inflammation and precancerous changes in the gastric mucosa. In fact, gastric cancer patients often have higher rates of H. pylori infection than those without stomach cancer. Even so, most people with HP never develop cancer.

Mucosal-associated lymphoma (MALT) has a high risk of adenocarcinoma of the stomach. This is probably due to the gastric MALT tumor infected with H pylori bacteria.

The risk of stomach cancer is increased in people with diets high in smoked foods, fish and salted meats, and salted vegetables.

Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the risk of stomach cancer, especially for cancers of the upper stomach near the esophagus. Stomach cancer rates double in smokers.

Being overweight or obese is likely to cause cancer of the cardia (the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus).

Stomach cancer is more likely to develop in people who have had part of their stomach removed to treat a noncancerous condition such as an ulcer. This type of cancer usually develops many years after surgery.

Along with anemia (too few red blood cells), people with this condition have an increased risk of stomach cancer.

Menetrier's disease (hypertrophic gastritis) is so rare that it's not known exactly how much it increases the risk of stomach cancer.

People with blood A have a high risk of stomach cancer, although the cause is unknown.

Certain genetic diseases can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Lynch syndrome: May also be called “hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer” (HNPCC), an inherited condition that runs in families. This syndrome is often associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer but also causes stomach cancer.
E-cadherin/CDH1 = Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: Although rare, people who inherit this gene mutation have a 70-80% risk of developing stomach cancer during their lifetime. In addition, women with this genetic defect have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This syndrome causes polyps of the colon, stomach, and intestines. This syndrome is usually caused by mutations in the APC gene, which greatly increases a person's risk of colorectal cancer and may play a small role in increasing a person's risk of stomach cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2: Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are often associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. People who inherit genetic mutations also have an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome: People with this syndrome have an increased risk of several types of cancer, including developing stomach cancer at a relatively young age. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is caused by a mutation in the TP53 gene.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). People with this syndrome develop polyps in the stomach and intestines, as well as in other organs including the nose, respiratory tract, and bladder. Polyps in the stomach and intestines are a special type called a hamartoma. It can cause bleeding or intestinal obstruction. PJS can also cause dark freckle-like spots on the lips, inside the cheeks, and other areas. People with PJS have an increased risk of cancers of the breast, colon, pancreas, stomach, and several other organs. This syndrome is caused by mutations in the STK1 gene.

People who have a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) with stomach cancer are more likely to develop it.

Most noncancerous polyps on the lining of the stomach (such as hyperplastic or inflammatory polyps) do not appear to increase the risk of stomach cancer, but adenomatous polyps - also called adenomas - can sometimes develop. develop into cancer.

EBV causes infectious mononucleosis. Almost all adults have been infected with this virus at some point in their lives, usually children or adolescents.
EBV is associated with some forms of lymphoma. About 5-10% of this virus is found in cancer cells in people with stomach cancer. These people tend to be slower growing, slow-growing, and less invasive cancers. EBV has been found in some stomach cancer cells, but whether it actually causes stomach cancer is unclear.

Workers in the coal, metal, and rubber industries appear to be at increased risk for stomach cancer.

People with CVID have an increased risk of stomach cancer. The immune system of a person with CVID cannot make enough antibodies to respond to the germ. People with CVID have frequent infections as well as other problems, including atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia. The disease is also more likely to be associated with gastric lymphoma and gastric cancer.

The goal of surgery is to remove all of the stomach cancer tissue and have a healthy resection margin (no cancer cells left).
At Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital (HCMC), applying a new technique - Robotic surgery with a hand-held robot to treat stomach cancer.
This method has many advantages compared to both classic laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery with: Instruments with surgical heads that act as flexibly as wrist joints to help access narrow angles, increasing the possibility of dissection. and less damage to the surrounding area compared with classical laparoscopic surgery; Automated endoscopes through voice, laser, eye tracking, ... help doctors actively control and have better vision and control, increase accuracy and safety in performing surgery ; With the advantage of compactness, robotic arm surgery is less invasive and has many advantages such as small incision, less pain, low risk of infection, thereby helping customers less blood loss during surgery, quick recovery; The cost is much lower than robotic surgery.
>>>> Customers can refer to information: Day surgery, outpatient surgery
Patients will be consulted and treated with experienced endoscopic doctors and directly operated Do Minh Hung - Head of General Surgery Department - Vinmec Central Park General Hospital. Dr. Hung has more than 25 years of experience in the field of General Surgery and has carried out dozens of valuable scientific research works, published many unique surgical techniques, bringing positive treatment effects.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, please contact Hotline: 0283 6221 166 or register online HERE.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for gastric cancer examination and treatment at Vinmec Times City International Hospital, customers will enjoy double incentives:
- Free specialist examination and 50% discount on Esophageal and Stomach Cancer Screening Package
- 50% off cost for customers who have indications for post-examination treatment. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.