Adenocarcinoma (Gastric)

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the stomach, which is part of the digestive system. It occurs when cells in the stomach lining grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. This cancer can cause symptoms like stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and nausea. It often affects the ability to digest food properly and can spread to other parts of the body if untreated. Early stages may not cause symptoms, making it harder to detect. Risk factors include chronic stomach inflammation, infection with Helicobacter pylori, and certain dietary habits. Treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation depending on the stage.

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor arising from the glandular cells of the gastric mucosa. It is the most common type of stomach cancer and typically develops through a multistep process involving chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and finally carcinoma. The pathogenesis often involves chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori, dietary carcinogens, and genetic mutations such as in CDH1. Clinically, it presents with nonspecific symptoms like weight loss, epigastric pain, and early satiety, often leading to late diagnosis. Histologically, it is classified into intestinal and diffuse types, with the diffuse type associated with worse prognosis. The disease is significant due to its high mortality rate and potential for local invasion and distant metastasis.