Gastric Cancer
Cancer that begins in the lining of the stomach
Quick Facts
- Type: Digestive (gastrointestinal) cancer
- Common causes: H. pylori infection, chronic inflammation
- Often diagnosed: At a later stage, as early signs are subtle
- Seek urgent care: Vomiting blood, black stools, severe pain
Overview
Gastric cancer, also called stomach cancer, is a malignant growth that begins in the cells lining the stomach. Most cases are a type called adenocarcinoma, which arises from the mucus-producing cells of the stomach wall. The disease often develops slowly over many years, usually beginning with chronic inflammation and gradual changes in the stomach lining.
Because early gastric cancer tends to cause vague or no symptoms, it is frequently found at a more advanced stage, particularly in regions without routine screening. Important risk factors include long-standing infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, smoking, and certain dietary patterns. When detected early, gastric cancer can often be treated successfully.
Symptoms
Early gastric cancer may cause few or no symptoms. As it progresses, signs can include:
- Persistent indigestion, heartburn, or stomach discomfort
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Fatigue, often from anemia caused by slow bleeding
Warning signs of advanced disease or bleeding include vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, and severe abdominal pain. These need urgent medical attention. Because early symptoms overlap with common digestive complaints, persistent or worsening symptoms should always be evaluated.
Causes
Gastric cancer develops when cells in the stomach lining undergo genetic changes that cause them to grow uncontrollably. Several factors contribute to this process:
- H. pylori infection: Long-term infection causes chronic inflammation and is the leading risk factor for the most common type.
- Chronic gastritis and stomach changes: Long-standing inflammation can lead to precancerous changes in the lining.
- Diet: Diets high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods and low in fruits and vegetables are associated with higher risk.
- Inherited factors: Certain rare inherited syndromes and a strong family history increase risk.
Risk Factors
- Chronic H. pylori infection
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- A diet high in salted, smoked, or processed foods
- Chronic gastritis or pernicious anemia
- Older age and male sex
- Family history of stomach cancer or related inherited syndromes
- Previous stomach surgery
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually involves looking inside the stomach and confirming with a tissue sample:
- Upper endoscopy: A thin camera is passed through the mouth to examine the stomach lining directly and take biopsies of any suspicious areas.
- Biopsy: Tissue samples are examined under a microscope to confirm cancer.
- Imaging: CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and sometimes PET scans help determine how far the cancer has spread (staging).
- Blood tests: To check for anemia and overall health.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and the person's overall health, and often combines several approaches:
- Surgery: Removing part or all of the stomach (gastrectomy) is the main treatment for cancer that has not spread widely; very early tumors may sometimes be removed during endoscopy.
- Chemotherapy: Used before or after surgery, or for more advanced disease.
- Radiation therapy: Sometimes combined with chemotherapy.
- Targeted and immunotherapy: Newer treatments may be used for certain advanced cancers based on tumor features.
A team of specialists tailors the plan, and supportive care addresses nutrition and symptoms throughout treatment.
Prevention
- Get tested and treated for H. pylori if you have a history of ulcers or persistent stomach symptoms
- Do not smoke and limit alcohol
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limit salted, smoked, and pickled foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Discuss screening if you have a strong family history or known inherited risk
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for persistent indigestion, unexplained weight loss, ongoing nausea, or stomach pain that does not improve. Seek emergency care right away for:
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Sudden severe abdominal pain
- Feeling faint or short of breath, which can signal internal bleeding
Early evaluation improves the chance of catching gastric cancer at a more treatable stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of gastric cancer?
Long-term infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the leading risk factor for the most common type of stomach cancer, because it causes chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. Smoking and certain diets also raise the risk.
Why is gastric cancer often found late?
Early stomach cancer usually causes only mild, nonspecific symptoms like indigestion or feeling full, which are easy to mistake for common digestive problems. As a result, it is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, especially where screening is not routine.
Can gastric cancer be cured?
When found early and confined to the stomach, gastric cancer can often be treated successfully with surgery, sometimes combined with chemotherapy. The outlook is better the earlier it is caught, which is why persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
Is stomach cancer the same as a stomach ulcer?
No, but they can share symptoms and both are linked to H. pylori. An ulcer is an open sore that usually heals with treatment, while cancer is a malignant growth. Because symptoms overlap, persistent ulcer-like symptoms should be checked, sometimes with endoscopy and biopsy.
Does treating H. pylori lower my cancer risk?
Treating an H. pylori infection can reduce the long-term risk of stomach cancer by removing a major cause of chronic inflammation. If you have had ulcers or ongoing stomach symptoms, ask your doctor about testing and treatment.
References
- American Cancer Society. Stomach Cancer.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Gastric Cancer Treatment.
- Mayo Clinic. Stomach cancer — Symptoms and causes.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Helicobacter pylori and cancer.