Predisposing factor Rationale

Age Aging process is the biggest risk factor for breast

cancer. The longer an individual lives, there are more
opportunities for genetic damage (mutations) in the
body. And as a person age, the bodies are less
capable of repairing genetic damage. Stomach
cancer occurs most commonly in people older than
55. Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are
in their 60s and 70s.

Heredity People who have a parent, child, or sibling who has

had stomach cancer have a higher risk of the
disease. In addition, certain inherited genetic
disorders, such as hereditary diffuse gastric
cancer, Lynch syndrome, hereditary breast and
ovarian cancer (HBOC), and familial adenomatous
polyposis (FAP) may increase the risk of stomach
cancer. 
Gender Cancerous lesions of the stomach lining, seen here,
occur far more often in men than in women. MIT
researchers say that discrepancy is due to the
protective effects of estrogen during chronic H. pylori
infection. Several types of cancer, including stomach,
liver and colon, are far more common in men than in
women.
ethnicity There is a higher incidence of gastric cancer in non-
Caucasian populations. The incidence of gastric
carcinoma also varies dramatically by geographic
location. In contrast to the American population, the
societal burden of gastric cancer is much higher in
Japan where it is the most common tumor type
genes There are a variety of genes that increase the risk of
gastric cancer that are detailed in Specific genes
such as MCC, APC, and p53 tumor suppressor
genes have been identified in a large percentage of
gastric cancers

Precipitating factor Rationale

diet Eating a diet high in salt has been linked to an
increased risk of stomach cancer. This
includes foods preserved by drying, smoking, salting, or
pickling and foods high in added salt. Eating fresh fruits and
vegetables may help lower the risk. Previous surgery or
health conditions.
Stress Stress hormones can inhibit a process called anoikis, which
kills diseased cells and prevents them from spreading
 Chronic stress also increases the production of certain
growth factors that increase your blood supply.
This can speed the development of cancerous tumors.
Weight Currently, three main mechanisms explaining the link
between excess adiposity and gastrointestinal
cancer risk are being considered, including altered insulin
signaling, obesity-associated chronic low-grade
inflammation, and altered sex hormone metabolism, although
new potential mechanisms emerge.
Smoking Smoking can activate the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors,
the formation of DNA adducts, the stimulation of tumor
angiogenesis and the modulation of immune responses in
the GI mucosa.
Alcoholism Recent studies have confirmed that alcohol drinking
can increase the risk of gastric cancer; and the main
mechanism is likely related to the primary metabolites,
acetaldehydes, that have a local toxic effect that increases
the risk of gastric cancer

Symptomatology
symptoms actual rationale
Nausea and vomitting occur when distal lesions
obstruct pylorus,
dysphagia occurs when
cancer arises from cardia
Indigestion or heartburn Indigestion, heartburn or
symptoms similar to an
ulcer may be signs of a
stomach tumor.
Stomach pain Abdominal discomfort or
pain in the abdomen
above the navel may be a
symptom of a stomach
tumor. Also, swelling or
fluid build-up in the
abdomen may also be
caused by stomach
cancer.
Weight loss This may be because
cancer cells use up much
of the body’s energy
supply, or they may
release substances that
change the way the body
makes energy from food.
bloating Ascites often form
when cancer cells spread
 to the peritoneum. The
peritoneum is the lining of
your abdomen. They can
also develop
when cancer blocks part of
your lymphatic system,
which causes fluid to build
up because it can't drain
out normally.
Fever Compensatory mechanism
of a body to fight infection
Hematochezia Due to injury in the gastric
mucosa and bleeding
inside the small intestine
Narrowing caliber of stool Due to narrowed pathway
from mass obstruction
Unexplained anemia Due to impaired
absorption of Iron in the
intestine
Constipation Due to impaired or absent
peristaltic movement due
to alteration in function
and obstruction
Change in bowel or This is true in colon and
bladder habits gastric CA especially the
bowel mainly because of
the mass

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