Health

People Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer Rarely Have Symptoms In The Early Stages. That’s Why Understanding The Risk Factors Is So Important. Dr. Mark Kozloff & Patient Andre Jackson Help Explain The Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Advances For The Disease. Andre Jackson is an attorney, a former football college linebacker, a husband…and he has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (the place where the stomach and esophagus join). Andre’s first sign of a problem was an upset stomach. But, after several tests, Andre found out he had cancer. Early diagnosis of stomach cancer is challenging because many people (like Andre) do not have symptoms until the disease has advanced into late stages, when the tumor cannot be surgically removed or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). The most common type of stomach cancer originates in the innermost lining of the stomach and accounts for more than 90 percent of tumors in this area. Because stomach cancer is hard to diagnose early, it is critical for people to be proactive about their health, know the signs and symptoms of this type of cancer and talk to their doctor. Once diagnosed, patients also should be aware of further testing that can be conducted. Testing a tumor for its genetic makeup can play a major role in deciding which medicine may be best for a person and may ultimately impact their survival. Treatment of stomach cancer depends on several factors, including the location and size of the tumor, the stage of disease and the person’s age and overall health. In the past 15 years, little progress has been made in the treatment of metastatic stomach cancer, until now.