What are the odds this is stomach cancer? A mass that's causing a blockage in the stomach area.?
Question:
About 3 weeks ago we called 911 for my aunt because she hadn't been eating and barely drinking for about 3 days. The hospital gave her an IV for dehydration and then she was better. She still has trouble eating many solid foods. She was previously diagnosed with a Duodenal (sp?) Ulcer several months ago which the Dr. said was causing a blockage. I think this was found in an endoscopy also. She's also had a MRI which didn't show anything - but it was before the blockage was found. Anyone have any experience in this sort of thing?
Answers:
If there is a mass in your aunt's stomach, I would be aggessive and not just attribute it to an ulcer. Presumably, they started your aunt on an antacid (PPI) and did a biopsy. If she has not improved with the antacid, then something is brewing.
Biopsies of stomach ulcer with a regular endoscopy are not the best in detecting stomach cancers. They only look at the superficial area of the ulcer. If it showed stomach cancer, then you have the diagnosis but if it didn't and the mass is persisent then further testing is required. Stomach specialist (GI guys) can do a needle biopsy with a special endoscope which takes a deeper biopsy then the regular endoscope. If this is still negative, then a surgical biopsy is required: take her to surgery and either by open or laproscopically get a good tissue sample.
The problem that arises is that treatment from stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) is a partial or total gastrectomy (take either a part or all of the stomach out). This is a big surgery and if you aunt has not been eating well and is malnourished she will not heal well. People with stomach cancer often do not do well.
Sometimes other cancers can spread to the stomach like ovarian cancer. Getting a CT of the abdomin can evaluate for this possibility.
Other Answers:
Ask the doctor. No one can answer this question without seeing the images for themselves.
I am a nurse in the operating theatre in England. Growths of this kind can be benign( non cancer) or malignant ( cancer forming cells). She had an IV simply because she needed the fluids that her body needs to keep her body going. If she was vomiting blood ( not wanting you to be alarmed so try not to be) then you should go to your local doctor and report the event then your aunt would be admitted to hospital for investigations. If the mass is still there it is preventing her from getting the nutrician she needs for her body that is why your aunt felt better after she had IV fluids. Hope she feels better soon.
Source(s):
Own experience
I totally agree with Julius.
My mother had stomach cancer and the only reason she went to the doctor was because she was tired and she felt as if she had heartburn. she felt better if she ate something. so they did the endoscopy thought it was an ulcer. GI doctors found it to be cancer. Had entire stomach removed. lived for 3 years. Been told stomach cancer is usually found in the elderly and Asians. My mother was from the Philippines. Doctors told us that my brother and I (later in life) we should get checked for the same cancer. Tell your aunt my prayers are with her and I hope for the best.
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