Antral carcinoma describes gastric cancer arising from the lining of the stomach in the portion of the stomach called the antrum. According to the American Cancer Society, ACS, the antrum is part of the lower portion of the stomach before the outlet or pylorus that empties into the small intestine. Whereas the exact causes of stomach cancers are not known, according to the American Cancer Society, ACS, certain well-known risk factors have been documented.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection
A bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, states the ACS, appears to be a major cause of stomach cancers, especially in the lower parts of the stomach, which is mainly the antrum. Chronic infection with H. pylori leads to inflammatory changes that could trigger the development of cancer in the tissues. According to the ACS, the infection is more common in people with stomach cancer than others. The infection is also linked to the development of lymphoma, a tumor of lymphoid tissues, in the stomach.
Stomach Lymphoma
People treated for a type of lymphoma of the stomach called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue are more prone to the development of stomach cancer. According to the ACS, this might be linked to the fact that this type of lymphoma is caused by H. pylori bacteria infection.
Inherited Cancer Syndromes
Certain inherited conditions that lead to the development of cancers elsewhere in the body can increase the risk of stomach cancer, according to the ACS. People with the genes for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer are at a lifetime risk of 70 to 80 percent to develop stomach cancer and an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Other inherited cancer syndrome that increase the risk of stomach cancer, mentioned by the ACS, include hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis and the inherited breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Previous Stomach Surgery
Previous surgery for non-cancerous conditions like peptic ulcer can increase the chances of developing stomach cancer up to 20 years after the surgery. According to the ACS, possible reasons for this include a buildup of nitrite-producing bacteria, reduced acid production in the stomach and reflux of bile from the small intestine into the lower parts of the stomach.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Smoking and excessive alcohol intake, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, or ASCO, may increase the chances of developing stomach cancers. The ACS says that tobacco use in particular may double the rate of stomach cancers among smokers.
Pernicious Anemia
Vitamin B12 in the diet requires something called an Intrinsic factor, IF, produced by cells in the lining of the stomach, to be absorbed into the body. People with insufficient IF do not absorb enough vitamin B12, leading to the development of a peculiar type of shortage in blood cells called pernicious anemia. According to the ACS, apart from anemia, there is also an increased risk of developing stomach cancer in those with deficient IF.
Diet
The Mayo Clinic says that a diet low in vegetables and fruits or high in salty and smoked foods increase the risk of developing stomach cancer. Eating food contaminated by a certain type of fungus that produces aflatoxin may also increase the risk of stomach cancer. The ACS says that food rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, like fresh fruits and leafy vegetables, may actually lower the risk of developing stomach cancer.
Other Possible Causes
According to the ASCO, being male, older than 55 years and having a family history of stomach cancer are all factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer. The ACS adds that stomach cancers are most common among Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Other possible risk factors mentioned by the ACS are blood type A, stomach polyps or adenomas, obesity, Epstein-Barr virus, infection and working in the coal, rubber or metal industry.
