Stomach (Gastric) Cancer

A peptic ulcer is a sore that forms in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). An ulcer can cause a gnawing, burning pain in the upper abdomen; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; weight loss; and fatigue. Most peptic ulcers are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). But some peptic ulcers are caused by prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. (NOTE: Tylenol is NOT an NSAID)

What is H. pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. The corkscrew shape helps it to burrow into soft mucus linings. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers. Preceding peptic ulcers the patient may or may not experience symptoms of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining, caused by the irritation of stomach acid. Usually, the stomach is protected from the caustic acid it produces, however, when patients have H. Pylori, the bacteria starts to destroy the protective barrier of the stomach wall.

The majority of people acknowledge and sympathize with Elizabeth Edwards, wife of the presidential candidate, John Edwards. Hers is the story of successful recovery from the primary breast cancer, only to wake up a few years later to find out the cancer had metastasized to her bone and to her liver. We have additionally learned that although the metastasized cancer can be treated, there no longer is any hope of cure.

All Digestive Diseases

Prevalence: 60 to 70 million people affected by all digestive diseases (1996)
Mortality: 234,000 deaths, including deaths from cancer (2002)
Hospitalizations: 14 million—9 percent (2002)

According to the Mayo Clinic, although the incidence of stomach cancer has declined dramatically in the United States and Western Europe in the last 50 years, the disease remains a serious problem in much of the rest of the world, where it's a leading cause of cancer death.