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Stomach Cancer
Summary
The stomach is an organ between the esophagus and the small intestine. It mixes food with stomach acid and helps digest protein. Stomach cancer mostly affects older people – two-thirds of people who have it are over age 65. Your risk of getting it is also higher if you:
- Have had a Helicobacter pylori infection
- Have had stomach inflammation
- Are a man
- Eat lots of salted, smoked, or pickled foods
- Smoke cigarettes
- Have a family history of stomach cancer
It is hard to diagnose stomach cancer in its early stages. Indigestion and stomach discomfort can be symptoms of early cancer, but other problems can cause the same symptoms. In advanced cases, there may be blood in your stool, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or trouble swallowing. Doctors diagnose stomach cancer with a physical exam, blood and imaging tests, an endoscopy, and a biopsy.
Because it is often found late, it can be hard to treat stomach cancer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination.
NIH: National Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute
Patient Handouts
- Abdominal radiation – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Gastrectomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Radiation enteritis Medical Encyclopedia
- Stomach cancer Medical Encyclopedia
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
- ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology
- National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
- Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute
Statistics and Research
- Cancer Statistics: Cancer of the Stomach National Cancer Institute
- Incidence of Cancers of the Lower Stomach Increasing among Younger Americans National Cancer Institute
- Key Statistics about Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society
- Pembrolizumab Secures FDA Approval in Stomach Cancer National Cancer Institute
- What’s New in Stomach Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society
Children
- Childhood Stomach Cancer National Cancer Institute
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Stomach Neoplasms National Institutes of Health
Living With
- Coping with Stomach Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Living as a Stomach Cancer Survivor American Cancer Society
Reference Desk
- Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute
Treatments and Therapies
- Drugs Approved for Stomach (Gastric) Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Gastrectomy – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Stomach Cancer Treatment National Cancer Institute
- Stomach Cancer Treatment by Stage National Cancer Institute
- Surgery for Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society
Encyclopedia
- Gastric tissue biopsy and culture Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Helicobacter pylori and Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Questions to Ask Your Health Care Team About Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society
- Stomach Polyps Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Causes Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society
Genetics
- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Journal Articles
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society
- Stomach Cancer Causes and Risk Factors National Cancer Institute
Start Here
- Stomach Cancer American Academy of Family Physicians
- What Is Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society
- What Is Stomach Cancer? National Cancer Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
- Stomach Cancer Diagnosis National Cancer Institute
- Stomach Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute
- Stomach Cancer Stages National Cancer Institute
- Tests for Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society
- Tumor Marker Tests National Library of Medicine
- Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Upper GI Endoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Specifics
- Stomach Cancer Survival Rates and Prognosis National Cancer Institute
Symptoms
- Stomach Cancer Symptoms National Cancer Institute