Stomach Cancer
Overview
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins when abnormal cells form and grow in the stomach. The stomach is a key organ in the upper abdomen that helps break down food during digestion. Stomach cancer can develop in any part of the stomach, though in the United States it is more likely to occur near the gastroesophageal junction, where the esophagus meets the stomach.
While stomach cancer is relatively uncommon in the U.S., early detection and timely, specialized care can make a significant difference. Treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of approaches.
Signs & Symptoms
Stomach cancer can be difficult to detect early because early-stage disease often causes few or no noticeable symptoms. As the cancer progresses, symptoms may develop, including:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling bloated or uncomfortable after eating
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Persistent heartburn or indigestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or upper abdominal pain
- Unintentional weight loss
- Loss of appetite
If these symptoms are persistent or worsening, especially when accompanied by weight loss or difficulty eating, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional.
Causes
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not fully understood, but it develops when cells in the stomach acquire changes in their DNA. These changes disrupt normal cell behavior, causing cells to grow rapidly, survive longer than they should, and eventually form a tumor. Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
While the underlying trigger for these DNA changes is unclear, several factors are known to increase the likelihood of these changes occurring, which is discussed further in the risk factors section.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer. These include:
- Gender: Stomach cancer occurs more often in men than in women.
- Age: Risk increases with age, and most cases are diagnosed in people over 50.
- H. pylori infection: Long-standing infection with Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic inflammation in the stomach lining and raise cancer risk.
- Diet: Diets high in salted, smoked, or processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables increase risk.
- Smoking: Smoking is linked to a higher risk of stomach cancer, especially with long-term use.
- Excess body weight: Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk, particularly for cancers near the gastroesophageal junction.
- Chronic stomach conditions: Conditions such as chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and long-term acid reflux can raise risk.
- History of stomach surgery: Removing part of the stomach for other conditions may increase long-term risk.
- Family history: Having a first-degree relative with stomach cancer increases risk, possibly due to shared genes or environmental factors.
- Inherited genetic conditions: Rare inherited syndromes or cancer-related gene mutations can increase lifetime risk.
- Stomach polyps: Certain types of stomach polyps may slightly increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Diagnosing Stomach Cancer
Detecting stomach cancer typically involves a combination of endoscopic procedures, imaging, and lab tests. These tools help identify suspicious areas, confirm a diagnosis, and determine how advanced the cancer may be.
Common Diagnostic Tests
Detecting stomach cancer typically involves a combination of endoscopic procedures, imaging, and lab tests. These tools help identify suspicious areas, confirm a diagnosis, and determine how advanced the cancer may be.
A thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed down the throat into the stomach, allowing doctors to look for abnormal areas that may indicate cancer.
If anything looks suspicious during an endoscopy, small tissue samples can be taken and sent to a lab to confirm whether cancer cells are present.
Tests such as CT scans or a barium swallow X-ray help visualize the stomach and nearby organs to identify growths or structural changes.
Staging Tests
Lab work can help assess overall organ function and detect signs that cancer may be affecting the liver or other organs.
An endoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe creates detailed images that show how deeply the cancer has grown into the stomach wall or nearby tissues.
These tests help determine whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
In some cases, surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to look inside the abdomen and check for signs of cancer spread that imaging may not detect.
Understanding Staging
Your care team uses the results of these tests to determine the cancer stage, from Stage 0 (very early, limited to the inner stomach lining) to Stage IV (advanced disease that has spread to distant organs). Staging guides treatment decisions and helps your team build the most effective plan for your care.
Treatments & Services
Treatment Options
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the tumor’s location, stage, and your overall health. These treatments may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor, after surgery to lower the risk of recurrence, or as primary treatment if surgery isn’t an option. Your care team may recommend one or a combination of the following:
Services Options
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