Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that his eldest son is critically ill with gastric cancer. Nicholas Lloyd Webber, 43, has been hospitalised 18 months after he was diagnosed with gastric cancer.
Gastric cancer or stomach cancer is a cancer which is found anywhere in the stomach. According to the NHS, it is not very common in the UK.
Andrew said his family are praying that Nick will "turn the corner", adding that he is "bravely fighting with his indomitable humour". Lord Lloyd-Webber said: "I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill. As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised. We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family", the Mirror reports.
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What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
According to the NHS, the symptoms of stomach cancer include:
- heartburn or acid reflux
- having problems swallowing
- feeling or being sick
- symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
- feeling full very quickly when eating
Other symptoms include:
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- a lump at the top of your tummy
- pain at the top of your tummy
- feeling tired or having no energy
When to see your GP
The NHS recommends you see your GP if you have:
- problems swallowing
- a lump in your tummy
- lost a noticeable amount of weight over the last 6 to 12 months without trying
- other symptoms of stomach cancer that get worse or do not get better after 3 weeks
- a condition that causes symptoms with your digestion that are not getting better after 3 weeks of using your usual treatments
It is important to note that some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions - having them does not mean you have stomach cancer but it is important to get checked by a GP.
Cancer Research UK also recommends that you write down your symptoms, including when they started, when they happen and how often you have them, in preparation for an appointment with your GP.
Types of stomach cancer
According to Cancer Research, the type of stomach cancer depends on what type of cell it started in. The most common type is called adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that develop in gland cells. These cells make mucus and stomach juices.
There is also Squamous cell cancer, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) (which is found in the digestive system) and Neuroendocrine tumours - the most rare type of stomach cancer.
Treatments
There are a number of different treatments for stomach cancer, this depends on the stage of your cancer and treatment plan, but the main treatments are:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- targeted or immunotherapy cancer drugs
- radiotherapy
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