Former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks dies of adenocarcinoma: All about this aggressive stomach cancer

Bobby Jenks, the flame-throwing closer who helped lead the Chicago White Sox to their historic 2005 World Series victory, has died at the age of 44. The White Sox confirmed his passing on Friday in Portugal, where Jenks had moved to be closer to his in-laws. He had publicly revealed in February that he was battling stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma, a serious and advanced form of stomach cancer.“Bobby was an iconic member of our White Sox family,” said White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement honoring the two-time All-Star.Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in glandular epithelial cells—cells that line the inside of many organs and secrete fluids like mucus and digestive juices. It is a subtype of carcinoma, which is the most common class of cancer overall. Adenocarcinomas can form solid tumors and are capable of spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of the body. Common organs affected by adenocarcinoma include: stomach, colon and rectum, lungs, breast, esophagus, pancreas, and prostate.

What causes adenocarcinoma?

The exact cause of adenocarcinoma can vary, but it generally develops when glandular cells begin to mutate and divide uncontrollably. Over time, these abnormal cells form tumors and invade nearby tissues. Several risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing adenocarcinoma:Tobacco use (smoking or vaping)Heavy alcohol consumptionObesity (BMI over 25)Family history of cancer Exposure to environmental toxinsPrevious radiation therapyWhile not all tumors formed in glandular tissue are cancerous (non-cancerous ones are called adenomas), malignant tumors that invade healthy tissue and spread are known as adenocarcinomas.

Bobby Jenks battled gastric adenocarcinoma

Bobby Jenks was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma, a cancer that originates in the mucus-producing glandular cells lining the inner stomach wall. Gastric cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage due to subtle early symptoms. Jenks had stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma, which means the cancer had spread beyond the stomach to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, or lymph nodes.

Symptoms of gastric adenocarcinoma

Some of the symptoms that people need to look out for include: feeling full after eating only small amounts of food, persistent indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, frequent stomach discomfort, unexplained weight loss, and bloating.These early warning signs of gastric adenocarcinoma are often subtle and easy to overlook, as they resemble common digestive issues. Thus the delayed diagnosis is a serious issue when it comes to gastric adenocarcinoma.