What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Lymphoma?

Stomach lymphoma is a disease that disguises itself very well until it can be too late to stop. The condition often spreads to other organs in the body by the time it is detected, and when that happens, it is difficult to effectively treat.

Identification

Stomach lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system surrounding the stomach. It primarily involves the muscle and circulatory system around the stomach, and it is considered to be an uncommon form of stomach cancer, making up less than 5 percent of reported cases. The more common form of stomach cancer is called adenocarcinoma, which affects the glands attached to the stomach. Stomach lymphoma can be treated in its early stages; however, advanced cases spread quickly and can often lead to death.

Features

The early stages of stomach lymphoma can be deceptive, and many people wait too long to seek treatment because they misdiagnose their condition as something minor. The initial symptoms are similar to a severe case of heartburn or the onset of a peptic ulcer. You will feel mild bloating and discomfort after eating, along with occasional nausea or loss of appetite. Many people treat these symptoms with over-the-counter antacids. The tumor found in stomach cancer can become sizable before it starts to show the more violent symptoms of lymphoma. By the time these symptoms are evident, it likely is too late for effective treatment.

Effects

The advanced symptoms of stomach lymphoma include jaundice or yellowing of the eyes, blood showing up in the person's stool, significant weight loss and an inability to swallow. Other signs that cancer is advancing are severe stomach pains, an obvious buildup of fluid in the abdomen and nausea.

Considerations

Stomach lymphoma is the seventh-leading cause of death by cancer in the United States. That is a significant decrease over the past half century because of the increased quality of the packaged meats and fish that Americans eat. Drinking alcohol and smoking increase the chance of contracting stomach cancer. Extended exposure to asbestos can also cause the onset of the condition, along with exposures associated with working in the refining or mining industries. It is more common in Asian, Eastern European, and Latin American countries than it is in North America. Smoking or drying meats can cause cancerous bacteria to form on them, and over time ingesting these meats can increase the possibility of contracting stomach cancer. It is possible to reduce the chances of contracting the disease by eating more fresh fruit.

Prevention/Solution

Stomach lymphoma is treated with a combination of surgery and radiation treatments such as chemotherapy. In many cases, the condition has advanced beyond the point of effective treatment by the time it is diagnosed.