Tumor of the stomach
A gastric tumor is a tumor of the stomach. It can be benign or malignant (gastric cancer). The gastric mucosa is composed of columnar epithelium arranged with pits known as crypts. There are several types of cells that make up gastric mucosa that give rise to gastric tumours: adenocarcinomas comprise 90% of these. Gastric tumours are mostly metastatic and are usually detected at a late stage. They occur more commonly in men than women in the 6th decade of life. Risk Factors 1. Smoking 2. Helicobacter pylori infection. 2. Diet low in fruits and vegetables. 3. Diet high in salt and nitrates. 4. Polyps 5. Genetic alterations - p53 mutation, microsatellite instability, E-cadherin gene 6. Previous radiation 7. Pernicious anaemia Signs and Symptoms Dysphagia, indigestion, feeling full after eating very little, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of weight, vomitting blood and passing black stool. Investigations Upper Gastointestinal Endoscopy.