Patients diagnosed with advanced abdominal cancer often have many questions about their disease and treatment. This blog provides information on all aspects of advanced abdominal cancer, causes, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, available treatments, and how to prepare for treatment.

Abdominal cancer is a general term for cancer that starts in the abdomen. It occurs when abdominal cells divide and multiply quickly, resulting in tumor formation.

The abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis. Abdominal cancer can affect any organ in the abdomen, including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and ovaries.

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of abdominal cancer. Other symptoms may include:

• Weight loss without trying
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating or feeling full after eating only a small amount
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Blood in your stool or black stools – fatigue

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause. Abdominal cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, so early detection is critical.

The exact cause of abdominal cancer is unknown. However, certain risk factors may increase your chance of developing the disease. These include:

• Age over 50
• Family history of abdominal cancer
• Certain genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome
• Being obese or overweight
• Having inflammatory bowel disease
• Smoking cigarettes

If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your doctor about your specific risks. They can help you create a plan to reduce your risk of developing abdominal cancer.

If you experience any symptoms associated with abdominal cancer, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. They will perform a physical exam and order tests to determine if you have the disease. These may include:

• CT scan: A CT scan is an imaging test that uses X-rays to take pictures of the inside of the body. A CT scan can be used to look for tumors in the abdomen.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. An abdominal ultrasound can be used to look for tumors in the abdomen.
• MRI: An MRI is an imaging test that uses magnetic waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. An MRI can be used to look for tumors in the abdomen.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure in which doctors remove a small tissue sample from the body and examine it under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of abdominal cancer.

Once a diagnosis of abdominal cancer is made, additional tests are performed to determine the stage of the disease. This is a crucial step in developing the best treatment plan.

• Stage I: Cancer is limited to one area and has not spread
• Stage II: Cancer has spread to nearby tissue or organs
• Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the area
• Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body

The stage of the disease will determine what treatment options are available. Treatment for abdominal cancer often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Patients with stage I or II diseases may be candidates for surgery alone. However, those with more advanced diseases will likely need additional treatment.

Chemotherapy is often used before or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy may also be used to shrink the tumor before surgery.

The best treatment option for you will depend on the stage of your disease and your overall health and preferences. Treatment options for abdominal cancer include

Surgery:

This is often the first line of treatment for abdominal cancer. It is used to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. In some cases, a portion of the stomach or intestine may need to be removed.

Chemotherapy:

This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given before or after surgery, intravenously or orally.

Radiation therapy:

This type of cancer treatment uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery.

Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is best for you.

The side effects of abdominal cancer treatment will vary depending on your treatment type. Surgery may cause pain and soreness at the incision site. You may also have some temporary numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can both cause fatigue. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, hair loss, and skin changes. These side effects are usually temporary and will go away once treatment is finished.

It is important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience during treatment. They can often help manage them so that you can continue with treatment.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing abdominal cancer. These include

• Age: The risk for abdominal cancer increases with age. Most cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 60.
• Gender: Men are slightly more likely to develop abdominal cancer than women.
• Family history: People with a family history of abdominal cancer are at an increased risk for the disease.
• Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop abdominal cancer than nonsmokers.
• Obesity: People who are obese are at an increased risk for abdominal cancer.
• Chronic inflammation: People with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, are at an increased risk of developing abdominal cancer.

If you have any of these risk factors, consult your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.

The prognosis for abdominal cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis and the overall health of the patient. Those with early-stage disease have a better chance of survival than those with late-stage disease. In general, the five-year survival rate for abdominal cancer is

• Stage I: 85%
• Stage II: 70%
• Stage III: 50%
• Stage IV: 20%

However, these numbers are just an estimate and do not consider the individual patient. Some people with the late-stage disease live long and healthy lives, while others with the early-stage disease may succumb to the disease. Hence, do talk to your doctor about your specific prognosis.

In addition to treatment, you can make some lifestyle modifications to help manage your abdominal cancer. These include –

• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated and trans fats can help reduce your risk for various types of cancer. It can also help improve your overall health.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise helps boost the immune system and can help reduce the risk for various types of cancer. It is crucial to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. Smoking increases the risk for various types of cancer and other chronic diseases. If you need help to quit, speak with your therapist or doctor.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of various cancer types. It is essential to limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

These lifestyle modifications can help reduce your risk for cancer recurrence and improve your overall health. It is important to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.