Stomach or gastric cancer usually originates from the cells that line the stomach. This may begin as an ulcer or a polyp which may cause no symptoms or can cause pain or bleeding. Most times cancer in the stomach is usually advanced by the time it is detected
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not always known, but may be related to risk factors such as acid reflux, smoking and bacterial infection.
Stomach cancer can occur in the upper part of the stomach (proximal) close to the esophagus or in the body of the stomach. In the United States the incidence of proximal gastric cancer is increasing. Overall stomach cancer is more common in people over age 65 and is more common in men. It also is much more prevalent in Asian countries and Eastern Europe.
The Following Factors Influence the Risk of Developing Stomach Cancer
Infection
- Infection with the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori causes inflammation of the inner layer of the stomach which can lead to ulcers and cancer. If detected a Helicobacter pylori infection can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Gender
- Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women.
Age
- Stomach cancer is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65.
Diet
- Smoked and salted foods have been shown to increase a person’s chances of developing stomach cancer. A deficiency in the dietary mineral, selenium, may also increase the risk. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables (particularly beta-carotene and vitamin C) can decrease this risk.
Race
- Stomach cancer is more common among Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and African Americans than Caucasians.
Pernicious anemia
- A very rare autoimmune condition in which the stomach no longer produces acid, making it hard to absorb vitamin B12.
Family cancer syndromes
- Such as hereditary nonpolyopsis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis, all of which increases risk of colorectal cancer and slightly increase stomach cancer risk.
Family history
- Of stomach cancer, possibly resulting from E-cadherin mutation.
- Of breast cancer, People carrying mutations of the inherited genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Other Risk Factors
- Blood type A (for unknown reasons)
- Smoking
- Obesity
Types of Stomach Cancer
Up to 95 percent of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas.
These adenocarcinoma cancers are formed in the cells that line the stomach and can be divided into three types.
Stomach Cancer Stages
A staging system is a way for your doctor to describe the extent of your cancer and then establish a treatment plan.
The system most often used to stage stomach cancer in the United States is the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. This divides cancer stages into 1 and 2 (early), 3 spread to surrounding lymph nodes and 4 to other organs (e.g. lung, liver and peritoneum).
TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) describes the stage of a cancer. This abbreviation summarizes the depth of penetration of the tumor into the stomach wall (T), whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes (N), and whether it has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of the body (M).
T describes the extent of the primary tumor (how far it has grown into the wall of the stomach and into nearby organs).
N describes the spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes.
M indicates whether the cancer has metastasized (spread) to distant parts of the body. The most common sites of distant spread of stomach cancer are the liver, the peritoneum (the lining of the space around the digestive organs), and distant lymph nodes. Less common sites of spread include the lungs and brain.
Esophageal and Gastric Cancer Treatment
Multimodality treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) is often used to treat patients with esophageal and gastric (stomach) cancer. Sequencing of treatment is determined by the stage, size and location of the tumor.
Learn About Stomach Cancer Treatment Options