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 Array Abdominal radiation – discharge After chemotherapy – discharge Gastrectomy Gastrectomy – slideshow Radiation enteritis Stomach cancer 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 Support Services National Cancer Institute Statistics and Research Cancer of the Stomach National Cancer Institute What Are the Key Statistics about Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society What’s New in Stomach Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Stomach Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Related Issues Do We Know What Causes Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society Helicobacter pylori and Cancer National Cancer Institute Stomach Polyps Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society Treatments and Therapies Drugs Approved for Stomach (Gastric) Cancer National Cancer Institute Surgery For Stomach Cancer American Cancer Society Treatment Option Overview (Gastric Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Gastric Cancer) National Cancer Institute Encyclopedia Gastric tissue biopsy and culture Start Here General Information about Gastric Cancer National Cancer Institute Stomach Cancer American Academy of Family Physicians What Is Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society Genetics Genetics Home Reference: hereditary diffuse gastric cancer National Library of Medicine Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Diagnosis and Tests How Is Stomach Cancer Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Risks of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Stages of Gastric Cancer National Cancer Institute Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Upper GI Endoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Upper GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Stomach Cancer Prevention and Risk Factors Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute What Are the Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society Health Check Tools Stomach Cancer Risk Questionnaire Siteman Cancer Center Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Living With What Happens After Treatment for Stomach Cancer? American Cancer Society Latest News Alcohol, Processed Meats May Raise Stomach Cancer Risk HealthDay