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What is gastric cancer?
Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the gastric mucosa. It is often associated with chronic gastric inflammation and may develop through a multistep carcinogenic process. Gastric cancer is relatively common worldwide and represents a major contributor to the global burden of gastrointestinal malignancies. Key risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection and high-salt dietary patterns.
Main types and classification of gastric cancer
1.Cardia gastric cancer and non-cardia gastric cancer Cardia cancer arises at the gastroesophageal junction, whereas non-cardia cancer is more commonly associated with H. pylori infection.
2.Intestinal-type and diffuse-type gastric cancer The intestinal type is more common in older adults and in high-incidence regions, while the diffuse type is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis.
3.Early-stage and advanced gastric cancer Early gastric cancer is confined to the mucosa and submucosa and may be treated with less extensive surgery; advanced disease typically requires radical resection.
Etiology of gastric cancer
1.Helicobacter pylori infection: A Group 1 carcinogen. More than 80% of gastric cancer patients in China have had prior infection, making it a core etiologic factor.
2.Dietary factors: High-salt intake, pickled and smoked foods, and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption can cause persistent injury to the gastric mucosa.
3.Smoking and alcohol consumption: Smoking increases risk by approximately 1.5-fold, and ethanol disrupts the gastric mucosal barrier.
4.Genetic factors: A family history significantly increases risk and accounts for approximately 5%–10% of etiologies.
5.Precancerous conditions: Atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia markedly increase risk.
6.Metabolic diseases: Obesity and diabetes may promote carcinogenesis through pro-inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.
Prevention and health maintenance for gastric cancer
1.Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A first-line preventive measure; eradication can reduce gastric cancer risk by approximately 75%.
2.Improve dietary habits: Reduce salt; limit pickled and smoked foods; increase fruits, vegetables, and high-quality protein; chew thoroughly and eat slowly.
3.Smoking cessation and alcohol moderation: Smoking cessation reduces risk by about 1.5-fold; limit alcohol intake, especially avoiding spirits.
4.Regular screening: High-risk individuals should undergo gastroscopy every 5 years starting at age 45; shorten the interval in the presence of precancerous lesions.
5.Control body weight and blood glucose: Maintain a healthy weight; patients with diabetes should actively manage glycemic control.
6.Pay attention to early warning signs: Seek medical evaluation for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and avoid self-medication that may mask disease progression.
Conclusion
Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that gastric cancer imposes a heavy burden in China, with H. pylori infection and unhealthy dietary patterns as major drivers. Early symptoms are often occult; H. pylori eradication, a low-salt diet, and regular gastroscopy are central to prevention and control. Experts emphasize that early detection and timely treatment, together with minimally invasive approaches and MDT-based comprehensive management, can significantly improve prognosis.
What is gastric cancer?
Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the gastric mucosa. It is often associated with chronic gastric inflammation and may develop through a multistep carcinogenic process. Gastric cancer is relatively common worldwide and represents a major contributor to the global burden of gastrointestinal malignancies. Key risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection and high-salt dietary patterns.
Main types and classification of gastric cancer
1.Cardia gastric cancer and non-cardia gastric cancer Cardia cancer arises at the gastroesophageal junction, whereas non-cardia cancer is more commonly associated with H. pylori infection.
2.Intestinal-type and diffuse-type gastric cancer The intestinal type is more common in older adults and in high-incidence regions, while the diffuse type is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis.
3.Early-stage and advanced gastric cancer Early gastric cancer is confined to the mucosa and submucosa and may be treated with less extensive surgery; advanced disease typically requires radical resection.
Etiology of gastric cancer
1.Helicobacter pylori infection: A Group 1 carcinogen. More than 80% of gastric cancer patients in China have had prior infection, making it a core etiologic factor.
2.Dietary factors: High-salt intake, pickled and smoked foods, and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption can cause persistent injury to the gastric mucosa.
3.Smoking and alcohol consumption: Smoking increases risk by approximately 1.5-fold, and ethanol disrupts the gastric mucosal barrier.
4.Genetic factors: A family history significantly increases risk and accounts for approximately 5%–10% of etiologies.
5.Precancerous conditions: Atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia markedly increase risk.
6.Metabolic diseases: Obesity and diabetes may promote carcinogenesis through pro-inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.
Prevention and health maintenance for gastric cancer
1.Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A first-line preventive measure; eradication can reduce gastric cancer risk by approximately 75%.
2.Improve dietary habits: Reduce salt; limit pickled and smoked foods; increase fruits, vegetables, and high-quality protein; chew thoroughly and eat slowly.
3.Smoking cessation and alcohol moderation: Smoking cessation reduces risk by about 1.5-fold; limit alcohol intake, especially avoiding spirits.
4.Regular screening: High-risk individuals should undergo gastroscopy every 5 years starting at age 45; shorten the interval in the presence of precancerous lesions.
5.Control body weight and blood glucose: Maintain a healthy weight; patients with diabetes should actively manage glycemic control.
6.Pay attention to early warning signs: Seek medical evaluation for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and avoid self-medication that may mask disease progression.
Conclusion
Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that gastric cancer imposes a heavy burden in China, with H. pylori infection and unhealthy dietary patterns as major drivers. Early symptoms are often occult; H. pylori eradication, a low-salt diet, and regular gastroscopy are central to prevention and control. Experts emphasize that early detection and timely treatment, together with minimally invasive approaches and MDT-based comprehensive management, can significantly improve prognosis.