STOMACH CANCER | Types & Treatments

This year alone, more than 27,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with stomach cancer, and more than 11,000 will die from the disease, the majority of whom will be male. Stomach cancer is a cancer that largely affects the older population, with 60% of new diagnoses affecting those 65 years of age or older. 1 While new cases of stomach cancer have been on a decline over the last decade in North America, stomach cancer is still one of the leading cancer-related causes of death in the world. Many believe that advances in the refrigeration of foods as well as a rise in the use and availability of antibiotics may have contributed to this decline. Still, 1 in 95 men and 1 in 154 women will develop stomach cancer during their lifetimes. 1

WHAT IS STOMACH CANCER

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is the third leading cancer-related cause of death in the world. 1 As with any cancer, stomach cancer begins with malformed cells that refuse to die or divide and multiply without need. In stomach cancer, this process begins in the stomach, specifically the lining of the stomach and is greatly affected by age, diet, and stomach diseases. While the entire abdomen region is often referred to as simply the “stomach,” stomach cancer specifically affects the stomach and does not include colon, intestinal, pancreatic, liver,m or other abdominal organ cancers. Due to the commonality and mildness of symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion, most stomach cancers go undiagnosed until the cancer has advanced much further and a later stage diagnosis is given. The life expectancy for stomach cancer is poor, with a relative 5-year survival rate for stage one diagnosis that decreases drastically in more advanced stages. 2

TYPICAL TREATMENTS

As with most cancers, there are a few main treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, medications, and clinical trials. 3 Unlike other forms of cancer, radiation therapy is an option, but it is not commonly used due to the risk of impacting other abdominal organs unless severe pain or bleeding occurs. Typically, treatment involves a combination of surgery, removing the tumor and/or partial or total gastrectomy (removal of the stomach). Chemotherapy is used before and after surgery (neoadjuvant and adjuvant, respectively) to help shrink tumors for removal and kill off any leftover cancerous cells that were unable to be removed during surgery.

TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER

There are four main types of stomach cancer, as well as a few rare cases such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma. 2 The main difference between the types of cancer is typically the location of the primary site of the cancerous growth. In addition to type, there are nine stages of stomach cancer, indicated with a number (0-4) and a letter (A-C); letters indicate if the cancer has spread while the stage number indicates severity and chance of survival. 3

ADENOCARCINOMA

This is the most common type of cancer. 90- 95% of all stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma and develops from the cells of the innermost stomach lining (mucosa).

LYMPHOMA

This type of stomach cancer infects immune system tissue that is found in the walls of the stomach.

GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOR (GIST)

Although rare, this form of stomach cancer begins in the stomach wall cells, known as “interstitial cells of Cajal.” Not all gastrointestinal stromal tumors are cancerous, and they can be found anywhere in the digestive tract but are most commonly found in the stomach.

CARCINOID TUMOR

This form of stomach cancer begins in the hormone-production cells of the stomach and rarely spreads to other organs.

CANNABIS &

STOMACH CANCER

Studies on stomach cancer and cannabis as a supplement to conventional cancer treatments are only in their early stages, but studies on cannabis and cancer cells as a whole suggest that cannabis could play a role in easing symptoms and inhibiting cell growth. Since 1986, cannabis has been used as an antiemetic drug for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cannabis has been shown to reduce inflammation as well as ease anorexia and cachexia, commonly reported as among the most inhibiting symptoms to quality of life due to stomach cancer. 4,5 Studies of patients in states with legal cannabis programs show that there is a strong interest in cannabis for cancer patients. 6 This all being stated, smoking, specifically tobacco smoking, has been shown to irritate and contribute to stomach cancers, so combustible modalities such as blunts may be best avoided if you are specifically treating stomach cancer.

Stomach cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with hard-to-detect early signs and a short survival rate. Early symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, or difficulty swallowing, especially if you are over the age of 55, could suggest the onset of early stage stomach cancer. If you notice a buildup of stomach fluids, anemia, black and bloody stools, symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite, or extreme weight loss, talk to your doctor to prevent more serious issues. If you suspect you may have stomach issues, try switching up your cannabis consumption, choosing edibles and vapor options rather than smokable and combustible options that could worsen your condition.