About Stomach Cancer
Gastric cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the stomach. The stomach is a J-shaped organ in the upper abdomen. It is part of the digestive system, which processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water) in foods that are eaten and helps pass waste material out of the body. Food moves from the throat to the stomach through a hollow, muscular tube called the esophagus. After leaving the stomach, partly-digested food passes into the small intestine and then into the large intestine.
The wall of the stomach is made up of 3 layers of tissue: the mucosal (innermost) layer, the muscularis (middle) layer and the serosal (outermost) layer. Gastric cancer begins in the cells lining the mucosal layer and spreads through the outer layers as it grows. Stromal tumors of the stomach begin in supporting connective tissue and are treated differently from gastric cancer.
Symptoms and Risk Factors Stomach Cancer
In the early stages of gastric cancer, the following symptoms may occur:
- A bloated feeling after eating
- Heartburn
- Indigestion and stomach discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Mild nausea
In more advanced stages of gastric cancer, the following signs and symptoms may occur:
- Ascites (build-up of fluid in the abdomen)
- Blood in the stool
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
- Stomach pain
- Trouble swallowing
- Vomiting
- Weight loss for no known reason
Check with your doctor if you have any of these problems.
Risk factors for gastric cancer include the following:
- Being older or male
- Eating a diet high in salted, smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables
- Eating foods that have not been prepared or stored properly
- Having any of the following medical conditions:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection of the stomach
- Chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
- Pernicious anemia
- Intestinal metaplasia (a condition in which the normal stomach lining is replaced with the cells that line the intestines)
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or gastric polyps
- Having a mother, father, sister, or brother who has had stomach cancer
- Smoking cigarettes
Find a Stomach Cancer Specialist
Rest assured that the specialized care you need for stomach cancer is close to home. Our experienced oncologists will design a treatment plan that considers your comfort, safety and whole-person health at every step.
Find Us in Your Community
Across the nation, each of our locations offering cancer treatment contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Cancer Institute network. Explore your options for care close to home with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.