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Types of stomach cancer

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.

There are 4 main types of stomach cancer. These are named after the cell type in which the cancer first develops[1]: 

  • Gastric adenocarcinoma (gastric cancer) starts in the glandular cells that line the inner layer of the stomach wall (called the mucosa); it is the most common type of stomach cancer 
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are rare cancers that start in the connective (interstitial) tissue in the stomach wall 
  • Lymphomas are rare cancers of the lymph system that are sometimes found in the wall of the stomach 
  • Carcinoid tumours are rare cancers that start in the hormone-making cells of the stomach. 
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