What is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the stomach wall grow in an uncontrolled way.
The stomach is located in the upper abdomen (belly). It is part of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which forms part of the body’s digestive system. The stomach is where food and liquid go after being swallowed.
The stomach helps digest food by:
- releasing enzymes and acid, which kills any bacteria in food and drink
- churning food into a semifluid mixture (called chyme) using muscle contractions.
Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer, while gastrointestinal stromal tumors, lymphomas, and carcinoid tumors are rarer forms that originate in different cell types within the stomach wall.
Explore statistics on stomach cancer, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.
Several modifiable and non-modifiable factors, including chronic stomach conditions, age, diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and family history.
Stomach cancer often has no early symptoms and can be difficult to detect, so it's important to consult a doctor if you experience indigestion, difficulty swallowing, or other related symptoms.
Various tests, including physical examinations, blood tests, stool samples, endoscopies with biopsies, and imaging scans, are used to diagnose and stage stomach cancer, which is classified into four stages based on its extent and spread.
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the disease's stage, symptoms, and patient preferences, and may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or palliative care.
Living with cancer can be challenging, but you can find support from family, friends, health professionals, and cancer support organizations to help you cope with the emotional, physical, and practical issues related to your diagnosis.
Research is ongoing to find new ways to diagnose and treat different types of cancer.
Details for professionals seeking comprehensive information on stomach cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Last updated 2 October 2024
