Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Its incidence rate and mortality rate rank third in our country. Gastric cancer can occur at any age, but it is more common in people aged 40 to 60. Gastric cancer is a disease that seriously threatens people's health. In clinical practice, people are often asked what the cause of gastric cancer is, and the summary is as follows:
1. Family history of gastric cancer or esophageal cancer: the incidence rate of gastric cancer is 2-3 times higher than that of normal people in patients with family history of gastric cancer or esophageal cancer.
2. Suffering from precancerous lesions: precancerous lesions refer to benign diseases with a tendency towards cancer, such as: (1) chronic atrophic gastritis, with a cancer conversion rate of up to 10%; (2) Chronic gastric ulcer, with a cancer conversion rate of over 3%; (3) Gastric polyps, with a diameter greater than 2cm, are more common and have a wider base, which increases the risk of cancer; (4) For patients undergoing partial gastrectomy, the residual gastric cancer mutation rate can reach 0.3% -10%; (5) Other precancerous lesions, such as giant gastric mucosal hypertrophy, verrucous gastritis, etc; (6) Pathological types of gastroscopy biopsy: ① Alien hyperplasia, also known as atypical hyperplasia, caused by chronic inflammation. If it develops into severe atypical hyperplasia, it can be considered as precancerous lesions or even early cancer; ② Gastric interstitial changes increase the chance of cancerous transformation; ③ There is a close relationship between colorectal metaplasia and the occurrence of gastric cancer.
3. Poor dietary habits: such as irregular eating habits, fast eating, preference for high salt/hot pot foods, preference for pickled, smoked, dried seafood with high levels of carcinogenic nitrite, overnight dishes, preference for grilled red meat, frequent consumption of moldy foods, and less consumption of fresh vegetables.
4. Long term alcoholism and smoking: Alcohol can cause changes in mucosal cells and lead to carcinogenesis. Smoking is also a strong risk factor for stomach cancer, with the highest risk occurring during adolescence when smoking.
5. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection: Studies have shown that about half of gastric cancer is related to Hp infection. Mainly because Helicobacter pylori can convert nitrate in food into nitrite, which is a clear carcinogen.
6. Certain special occupations: those who are exposed to sulfuric acid dust, lead, asbestos, herbicides, and workers in the metal industry for a long time have a significantly higher risk of stomach cancer.
7. Geology and water quality contain harmful substances: In areas with volcanic rocks, high peat, and deep faults, the Ca/SO4 ratio in the water is low, while the nickel, selenium, and cobalt contents are high. Volcanic rocks contain a high content of 3,4 benzo [a] pyrene, and peat has a high content of organic nitrogen and other nitrosamine precursors, which can easily damage the gastric mucosa. Selenium and cobalt can also cause gastric damage, while nickel can promote the carcinogenic effect of 3,4-benzo [a] pyrene.
8. Long term poor psychological state, such as depression, worry, longing, loneliness, depression, hatred, disgust, inferiority complex, self blame, guilt, tense interpersonal relationships, mental breakdown, and suffocation, significantly increases the risk of gastric cancer.
Early symptoms of gastric cancer are often not obvious, such as unpredictable upper abdominal discomfort, dull pain, belching, acid reflux, decreased appetite, mild anemia, etc. Some patients have symptoms similar to gastric and duodenal ulcers or chronic gastritis. Some patients take painkillers, anti ulcer drugs, or dietary adjustments to reduce or relieve pain, so they are often overlooked and not further examined. As the condition progresses, stomach symptoms gradually become more obvious, including upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia. In the later stage, cancer often metastasizes, abdominal masses, enlarged lymph nodes on the left clavicle, black stool, ascites, and severe malnutrition. As gastric cancer is extremely common and harmful in China, understanding the basic knowledge about gastric cancer is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.