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| STOMACHCANCER.COM.SG |
| Symptoms and Screening for Stomach Cancer |
Commonest Symptoms Of Stomach
Cancer
1. Upper
abdominal pain or discomfort
2. Vomiting or difficulty in swallowing
3. Vomiting blood or coffee grounds or passing black
stools
4. Anaemia causing weakness and fatigue
5. Loss of appetite or un-intended weight loss
Screening For Stomach Cancer
Gastroscopy and Barium Contrast x-rays are the main
screening investigations for stomach cancer. Occult
blood kits and serology are not established tests.
Selective Screening For Stomach Cancer
Selective screening for stomach cancer is
recommended in our practice in patients with:
1. Upper abdominal pain and over the age of 40 yr.
2. For all ages for upper abdominal pain with alarm
symptoms 1 or have not responded to appropriate
medication.
3. From 40 yr. old for those with a family history
of stomach cancer or from an age 5-years younger
than the age a family member was diagnosed.
4. From 40 yr. old for certain high risk ethnic
groups.
5. Patients diagnosed with ‘risk’ lesions or
conditions. See right column.
1 Alarm Symptoms 1. Vomiting 2. Difficulty
swallowing 3. Frank or occult bleeding 4. Loss of
weight or appetite.
Population Based Screening for
Stomach Cancer
General population
screening is practiced in countries with a high
incidence of stomach cancer such as Japan and
consists of endoscopy or barium contrast x-rays. CONTACT US
Mailing Address: Dr.
H. G. Baladas, The Surgery Centre, 01-01
RAFFLES HOSPITAL
585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770
Email:
hg_baladas@rafflesmedical.com
Dr. Baladas Appointment Line (24 HR): (65) 6311 1111 |
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Gastroscopy and Barium X-Rays
These are
the screening investigations for stomach
cancer and are performed with the aim of
detecting stomach cancer in the early
stages. Occult blood kits and serology tests
lack adequate sensitivity as they may miss
up to 30% of cancers.
Early cancers are more likely to be completely removed at surgery,
resulting in cure.
Risk Lesions or Conditions
High risk
High-grade dysplasia
Gastric adenomas
Familial adenomatous polyposis
Definite risk
Intestinal metaplasia
Chronic atrophic gastritis
Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer
Probable risk
Any history of Helicobacter Pylori infection
Gastrectomy after more than 10 years
Pernicious anemia
Smoking
Possible or Questionable risk
Excessive alcohol ingestion
Hamartomas
High intake of salted, pickled, or smoked
foods
Low intake of fruits and vegetables
Ménétrier's disease
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Benign gastric ulcers
Fundic gland polyps
Hyperplastic polyps |
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