Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the stomach. The stomach is an organ on the left side of the upper abdomen that digests food. Stomach cancer can happen in any part of the stomach, but in the United States, most cases of stomach cancer involve abnormal cell growth in the place where the stomach meets the esophagus, which is called the gastroesophageal junction. There are several different types of stomach cancers, but most are curable if detected at an early stage. Adenocarcinoma of the stomach is the most common type of stomach cancer, which begins in the mucus-producing cells in the innermost lining of the stomach. Stomach cancers tend to develop slowly over many years, and before a true cancer develops, pre-cancerous changes often occur in the inner lining of the stomach.
The causes of stomach cancer are not known, but there are several risk factors that may increase the chance of developing stomach cancer, such as having an infection in the stomach, having long-standing acid reflux, eating a lot of salty foods, and smoking. Symptoms of stomach cancer may include abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and feeling full after eating small amounts of food.
Stomach cancer is not always preventable, but it may be treatable if caught early. Depending on the cancer diagnosis, treatment options may include surgery to remove cancer cells or tumors, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. The prognosis of stomach cancer depends on multiple factors, such as the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient.
