What is an Abdominal Tumor?

An abdominal tumor is an abnormal growth or mass in the area of the body called the abdominal region. This may include the stomach, abdominal wall or parts of the intestines. Tumors are classified as benign or malignant. Benign abdominal tumors do not travel to other parts of the body. They are considered self contained. Malignant tumors, which are more serious, are considered cancerous. This type of tumor may invade other parts of the body and it can cause damage to the organs and be life threatening.

If an abdominal tumor is found to be malignant, surgery and additional treatment may be needed. Malignant abdominal tumors are often treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. The specific treatment protocol will vary depending on factors, such as, the size of the tumor, exact location and whether it has spread beyond the abdominal area.

Diagnosis

There are various ways to diagnosis an abdominal tumor. A physician may be able to feel a mass in the abdominal area on an exam. Further evaluation may be needed through Computer Tomography (CT Scan) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI). These types of tests help a doctor determine the size of the tumor and exact location.

Histopathology

• Gastric adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial abdominal tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the gastric mucosa. Abdominal tumors are overwhelmingly adenocarcinomas (90%). Histologically, there are two major types of gastric adenocarcinoma: intestinal type or diffuse type. Adenocarcinomas tend to aggressively invade the abdominal wall, infiltrating the muscularis mucosae, the submucosa, and thence the muscularis propria. Intestinal type adenocarcinoma tumor cells describe irregular tubular structures, harboring pluristratification, multiple lumens, reduced stroma (“back to back” aspect). Often, it associates intestinal metaplasia in neighboring mucosa. Depending on glandular architecture, cellular pleomorphism and mucosecretion, adenocarcinoma may present 3 degrees of differentiation: well, moderate and poorly differentiated. Diffuse type adenocarcinoma (mucinous, colloid, linitis plastica, leather-bottle stomach) Tumor cells are discohesive and secrete mucus which is delivered in the interstitium producing large pools of mucus/colloid (optically “empty” spaces). It is poorly differentiated. If the mucus remains inside the tumor cell, it pushes the nucleus to the periphery- “signet-ring cell”.
• Around 5% of abdominal malignancies are lymphomas (MALTomas, or MALT lymphoma).
• Abdominal Carcinoid and abdominal stromal tumors may also occur.

There are 3 types of Abdominal Tumor:

1. Gastric Adenocarcinoma
2. Gastric Lymphoma
3. Gastrointestinal Stromal

Gastric Adenocarcinoma Tumors

Data and research indicate adenocarcinomas comprise approximately 90% to 95% of stomach cancers in the United States. These tumor arise from the cells that form the lining of the stomach. The growth pattern of gastric adenocarcinomas varies. Tumors may amass on the inner surface of the stomach creating a ball-like growth that protrudes into the open space of the stomach. Spreading gastric adenocarcinomas are flat and extend along the stomach lining. Ulcerating tumors grow into the stomach wall with an open sore-like lesion on the stomach lining surface. Surgical removal of gastric adenocarcinoma provides the greatest opportunity for cure among people with disease limited to the stomach, reports the National Cancer Institute. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be utilized for gastric adenocarcinoma treatment.

Gastric Lymphoma Tumors

From data collected and research, indicate that adenocarcinomas comprise approximately 90% to 95% of stomach cancers in the United States. These cancers arise from the cells that form the lining of the stomach. The growth pattern of gastric adenocarcinomas varies. Tumors may amass on the inner surface of the stomach creating a ball-like growth that protrudes into the open space of the stomach. Spreading gastric adenocarcinomas are flat and extend along the stomach lining. Ulcerating tumors grow into the stomach wall with an open sore-like lesion on the stomach lining surface. Surgical removal of gastric adenocarcinoma provides the greatest opportunity for cure among people with disease limited to the stomach. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be utilized for gastric adenocarcinoma treatment.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors(GIST)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors arise from nerve cells that control the muscular activity of the digestive system. Although these slow-growing tumors can arise in any location within the gastrointestinal system, the stomach is most commonly affected. Possible symptoms include abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and unintentional weight loss. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors may be cancerous or noncancerous. Some report said that gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare; data indicate approximately 4,500 to 6,000 new cases occur annually in the United States and its also causes about 800,000 deaths worldwide per year.

ABDOMINAL TUMOR

Abdominal tumor is often asymptomatic or causes only nonspecific symptoms in its early stages. By the time signs occur, the tumor has often reached an advanced stage (see below), one of the main reasons for its poor prognosis. Abdominal tumor can cause the following signs and symptoms:

Stage 1 (Early)

• Indigestion or a burning sensation (heartburn)
• Loss of appetite, especially for meat
• Abdominal discomfort or irritation

Stage 2 (Middle)

• Weakness and fatigue
• Bloating of the stomach, usually after meals

Stage 3 (Late)

• Abdominal pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and occasional vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Weight loss
• Bleeding (vomiting blood or having blood in the stool) which will appear as black. This can lead to anemia.
• Dysphagia; this feature suggests a tumor in the cardia or extension of the gastric tumor in to the esophagus.

Note that these signs can be symptoms of other problems such as a abdominal virus, gastric ulcer or tropical sprue.

Causes of Abdominal Tumor

Infection by Helicobacter pylori is believed to be the cause of most abdominal tumor while autoimmune atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and various genetic factors are associated with increased risk levels. Its also states that diet plays no role in the genesis of abdominal tumor. However, there is some research done listed down the following dietary risks, and protective factors, for abdominal tumor: “smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables (appear to increase the risk of stomach cancer.) Nitrates and nitrites are substances commonly found in cured meats. They can be converted by certain bacteria, such as H. pylori, into compounds that have been found to cause stomach cancer in animals. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidant vitamins (such as A and C) appears to lower the risk of abdominal tumor.

In more detail, H. pylori is the main risk factor in 65–80% of abdominal tumor, but in only 2% of such infections. The mechanism by which H. pylori induces abdominal tumor potentially involves chronic inflammation, or the action of H. pylori virulence factors such as CagA(cytotoxin-associated gene A). Approximately ten percent of cases show a genetic component. Some studies indicate that bracken consumption and spores are correlated with incidence of abdominal tumor, though causality has yet to be established.

A very important but preventable cause of abdominal tumor is tobacco smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing abdominal tumor considerably; from 40% increased risk for current smokers to 82% increase for heavy smokers which is nearly twice the risk for non-smoking population. Abdominal tumor due to smoking mostly occur in upper part of stomach near esophagus. Another lifestyle cause of abdominal tumor besides smoking is consumption of alcohol. Alcohol along with tobacco smoking increase the risk of developing other cancers as well.

Abdominal tumor shows a male predominance in its incidence as up to three males are affected for every female. Estrogen may protect women against the development of this tumor form. A very small percentage of diffuse-type abdominal tumor are thought to be genetic. Its also has recently been identified and research is ongoing. However, genetic testing and treatment options are already available for families at risk.

Some researchers showed a correlation between Iodine deficiency or excess, iodine-deficient goitre and abdominal tumor; a decrease of the incidence of death rate from Abdominal tumor after implementation of the effective I-prophylaxis was reported too. The proposed mechanism of action is that iodide ion can function in gastric mucosa as an antioxidant reducing species that can detoxify poisonous reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment

Chinese herbal medicine Treatment varies according to the symptoms, the predominance of ‘heat’, ‘cold’, and other pathogens, and the strength of a patient’s qi. An individual’s prescription will vary according to the differentiated patterns of ‘wind-cold’.

Individual Chinese herbs that expel exterior ‘wind-heat’ or wind-cold’ are combined with specific herbs that treat symptomatic conditions and, if necessary, increase the body’s resistance so that the pathogens can be eliminated more rapidly. For example, detoxifying herbs such as Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera) and Lian Qiao (Forsythia) are used to treat ‘wind-heat’, and Gui Zhi (cinnamon Twig) and Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) are used to treat ‘wind-cold’. These herbs may be found in traditional formulas combined with other herbs that are then individualized to specific conditions.

The Chinese herbal formula is consumed as a drink, three times a day. KL Kuala Lumpur Chinese Master indicates that the ingredients are a “family heritage” which was inherited from his father and later refined by him.

The Way of Chinese Medicine may be performed via acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine and qi gong.

Acupuncture is a Medicine technique that uses fine needles to puncture at the point of the body, known as ‘acupuncture points’. It is used to influence the physiological functioning of the body. According to some people, acupuncture is a best technique to treat and to prevent diseases. This is because acupuncture is the oldest healing system in the world. Acupuncture is originating from China since 5000 years ago. It becomes popular in the whole world in the last three decades including in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia.Treatments depends on the grade and types of cancer, the location cancer, the size of cancer,how long that cancer are happen and lastly the patients age and general health who have diagnosis.

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