Stomach cancer develops when normal stomach cells begin to grow out of control and form a tumor, or mass. The tumor grows into the stomach lining and may spread to other organs. Stomach cancer is a type of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, which also includes cancers of the liver, pancreas, bile duct and esophagus.
Most people with stomach cancer don’t have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. That’s one reason it’s important to see your doctor if you have any unusual signs or symptoms. Your doctor will examine you, and if necessary, order tests to diagnose the condition. If you have any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting tested for stomach cancer:
In the United States, the most common form of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the cells that line the stomach. Other types include lymphoma, sarcoma and metastatic cancer that has spread from another part of the body to the stomach.
A doctor can find stomach cancer through a physical exam, blood tests and imaging tests. The doctor will also ask you questions about your past health and any symptoms you’re having.
Your provider will classify your stomach cancer, or gastrectomy, in a stage. The stages range from 0 to IV, and each stage describes how much the cancer has spread. Your provider will need to know the staging of your cancer to plan your treatment.
If your doctor finds stomach cancer in the inner lining of your stomach (stage 0), it’s very likely to be cured by surgery to remove the cancerous cells and some nearby lymph nodes, or a combination of surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or chemoradiation. These treatments use drugs that kill cancer cells and beams of high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and destroy any remaining cancer cells.
In stage I, the cancer has grown into the deeper layers of your stomach and maybe into nearby lymph nodes. Surgery to remove part or all of your stomach and possibly nearby lymph nodes is the main treatment. You might also get chemo or chemoradiation before surgery to shrink the tumors and after surgery to kill any cancer that remains.
Stomach cancer can be prevented by avoiding smoking and eating a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. You should also limit your intake of salty, pickled, cured and smoked foods like hot dogs and processed lunch meats. Maintaining a healthy weight is also helpful, as obesity doubles your risk of stomach cancer. You should also avoid acid-reducing medications like aspirin and NSAIDs unless your provider recommends them for heart problems or arthritis. Screening tests don’t usually detect stomach cancer, but your provider might recommend a regular procedure like an upper endoscopy if you have certain conditions that increase your risk.
