What Is Gastric Cardia?
Gastric cardia is a type of cancer that affects the portion of the stomach that connects to the esophagus, explains New York Presbyterian Hospital. People with gastric cardia cancer experience stomach pain, discomfort and indigestion. Common symptoms include fullness in the upper abdomen, mild nausea and loss of appetite.
Advanced symptoms of gastric cardia cancer include tarry and black stools, trouble swallowing, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the abdomen, according to New York Presbyterian Hospital. Risk factors for gastric cardia cancer include ethnicity, gender, age, family history of stomach disease, and lifestyle habits that include certain diets and smoking. Men have twice the risk of developing gastric cardia cancer than women. Adults 50 years of age or older have an increased risk for the disease as well.
Individuals who eat diets that are low in vegetables and fruits yet heavy in smoked food are more at risk for gastric cardia cancer, notes New York Presbyterian Hospital. A family history of stomach polyps, stomach cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorecteral also poses a risk for gastric cardia cancer. Individuals with autoimmune diseases, smokers and people infected with H. pylori bacteria are at risk for infections that can develop into gastric cardia cancer.
