Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, refers to a cancer that starts in any part of the stomach. The stomach is a j-shaped, hollow, distensible organ located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The stomach is part of the digestive tract where ingested food is broken down into a semi-fluid substance called chyme.
While other types of cancer can spread to the stomach and cause cancer, this topic will only cover cancer that starts in the stomach.
The US National Cancer Institute estimated that there are more than 21,000 new cases of stomach cancer in the United States in 2009. About 13,000 are men and 8,000 are women. Most of those people diagnosed with cancer of the stomach are over 70 years old. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stomach cancer accounted for about 803,000 deaths worldwide each year making it the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer.
What causes stomach cancer?
Experts are not really sure why cancer occurs in the stomach. Also, why a certain person gets stomach cancer and another doesn’t remains unclear. However, experts do know that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that makes a person more likely to develop a certain disease or disorder.
What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?
A person is at risk of getting stomach cancer if he or she
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Early stages of stomach cancer do not present with any signs or symptoms. This makes the detection of early stomach cancer difficult. As the cancerous stomach cells grow, it can cause signs or symptoms such as
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose stomach cancer during its very early stages. However, if a person has symptoms that suggest stomach cancer, the doctor will likely do a series of tests to determine whether they are caused by cancer or other health problems.
In addition to learning about the person’s personal and family medical history and performing a physical exam, the doctor may also suggest blood testing and other laboratory and imaging tests.
How is stomach cancer treated?
Because stomach cancer is often found late, it can be difficult to treat. The choice of treatment depends on the site or size of the cancer, whether cancer cells have spread to other organs, and the person’s general health. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments may be needed.
Suggested Readings
References:
US National Cancer Institute (October 15, 2009). What You Need to Know About™: Stomach Cancer. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accessed: October 19, 2010
MedlinePlus. Stomach Cancer. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last Updated: September 30, 2009. Accessed: October 19, 2010
World Health Organization (WHO) Media Centre (February 2009). World Health Organization. Accessed: October 19, 2010
Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012
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While other types of cancer can spread to the stomach and cause cancer, this topic will only cover cancer that starts in the stomach.
The US National Cancer Institute estimated that there are more than 21,000 new cases of stomach cancer in the United States in 2009. About 13,000 are men and 8,000 are women. Most of those people diagnosed with cancer of the stomach are over 70 years old. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stomach cancer accounted for about 803,000 deaths worldwide each year making it the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer.
What causes stomach cancer?
Experts are not really sure why cancer occurs in the stomach. Also, why a certain person gets stomach cancer and another doesn’t remains unclear. However, experts do know that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop stomach cancer. A risk factor is something that makes a person more likely to develop a certain disease or disorder.
What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?
A person is at risk of getting stomach cancer if he or she
has had helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Although H. pylori infection is the most common cause of peptic ulcer, a small number of infected people develop stomach cancer.Having one or more risk factors does not mean that a person will develop stomach cancer. In fact, many people with known risk factors do not develop the disease. For example, many people have an H. pylori infection but never develop stomach cancer. On the other hand, some people who get stomach cancer sometimes have no known risk factors.
has long-term stomach inflammation.
is smoking. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop stomach cancer. Heavy smokers are most at risk.
has a family history of stomach cancer.
eats lots of salted, smoked, or pickled foods.
lacks physical activity.
is obese.
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Early stages of stomach cancer do not present with any signs or symptoms. This makes the detection of early stomach cancer difficult. As the cancerous stomach cells grow, it can cause signs or symptoms such as
Discomfort or pain in the stomach areaThese symptoms are not exclusive for stomach cancer. Other health problems can cause these symptoms as well. For example, peptic ulcers or infection can cause the same symptoms. Anyone who has these symptoms should tell their doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Trouble swallowing
Nausea and vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling full or bloated after a small meal
Vomiting blood or having blood in the stool
How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose stomach cancer during its very early stages. However, if a person has symptoms that suggest stomach cancer, the doctor will likely do a series of tests to determine whether they are caused by cancer or other health problems.
In addition to learning about the person’s personal and family medical history and performing a physical exam, the doctor may also suggest blood testing and other laboratory and imaging tests.
How is stomach cancer treated?
Because stomach cancer is often found late, it can be difficult to treat. The choice of treatment depends on the site or size of the cancer, whether cancer cells have spread to other organs, and the person’s general health. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments may be needed.
Suggested Readings
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Upset Stomach
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Gastroparesis
- Different Types of Stomach Problems
References:
US National Cancer Institute (October 15, 2009). What You Need to Know About™: Stomach Cancer. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accessed: October 19, 2010
MedlinePlus. Stomach Cancer. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last Updated: September 30, 2009. Accessed: October 19, 2010
World Health Organization (WHO) Media Centre (February 2009). World Health Organization. Accessed: October 19, 2010
Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012
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