Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the stomach lining, predominantly as adenocarcinoma, classified into diffuse and intestinal histological types, with the former being poorly differentiated and the latter often exophytic and linked to intestinal metaplasia. It may spread locally or metastasize systemically, presenting with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, and weight loss. Key risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastritis, male gender, dietary habits, and smoking. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to overlapping symptoms with benign conditions, but treatment typically involves surgical resection combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.