> Gastric Cancer

• Alternative Names
• Symptoms & Characteristics
• Treatment
• How Common Is It?
• Genetics & Inheritance
• Genetic Testing
• Support & More Information

Alternative Names

cancer of the stomach;gastric cancer

Symptoms & Characteristics

Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread (metastasize) throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus and the small intestine. The most common stomach cancer type is adenocarcinoma.

• Adenocarcinoma - develops from the cells that form the innermost lining of the stomach's inner lining (mucosa). About 90% to 95% of cancerous tumors of the stomach are adenocarcinomas.

Less common stomach cancer types include lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and carcinoid tumor.

• Lymphoma - develops in immune system tissue in the wall of the stomach. About 4% of stomach cancers are lymphomas.

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) - seem to develop in cells in the wall of the stomach called interstitial cells of Cajal. Some GISTs are non-cancerous, while others are cancerous. Most GISTs occur in the stomach, although they can be found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract.

• Carcinoid tumor - develop in the hormone-making cells of the stomach. About 3% of stomach cancers are carcinoid tumors.

It can be difficult to diagnose stomach cancer in its early stages. Stomach indigestion and discomfort can be symptoms of early cancer, but other health conditions can cause these same symptoms. In advanced cases, the signs and symptoms may include vomiting, unexplained weight loss, the presence of blood in stool, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (called jaundice) or trouble swallowing.

Treatment

As many cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed in advanced stages, it can be hard to treat stomach cancer. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments.

How Common Is It?

Over 20,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year in the United States.

• Stomach cancer most typically occurs in older people (72 years old or older).

• Males are more likely than females to develop stomach cancer.

• Stomach cancer is more common in Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African Americans than in non-Hispanic white Americans.

Genetics & Inheritance

Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Most cases of stomach cancer are not inherited and occur sporadically.

• Some factors that have been proposed to increase stomach cancer risk include Helicobacter pylori (a spiral-shaped bacterium that is able to grow in the human stomach) infection; stomach inflammation (and conditions that cause stomach inflammation); a diet of salted, smoked, or pickled foods; as well as smoking cigarettes.

A small percent of cases are due to a genetic condition or hereditary cancer syndrome.

Hereditary Cancer Syndrome - A hereditary cancer syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation that increases the chance to develop one or more types of cancer. Families are more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome if there are multiple generations of affected family members with the same cancer (or associated cancers). People who are diagnosed at an unusually young age or have certain rare cancers are also more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome. Several different hereditary cancer syndromes have been identified. Click here for more information about Cancer Genetics.

Some of the more common hereditary cancer syndromes that are associated with stomach cancer include:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)

• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

• Juvenile polyposis syndrome

• Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS)

• Lynch syndrome

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

Genetic Conditions - People with certain genetic conditions are at increased risk to develop some types of cancer. Some of the more common genetic conditions that are associated with stomach cancer include:

• Ataxia-telangiectasia

• Xeroderma pigmentosum

• Bloom syndrome

• Werner syndrome

A cancer genetic consultation with a trained genetic professional is important for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis, as well as discussion of the benefits and limitations of testing and recurrence risk.

Genetic Testing

In the absence of a known or suspected genetic condition/hereditary cancer syndrome, cancer predisposition testing for stomach cancer is unavailable. Cancer predisposition testing for the genetic conditions/hereditary cancer syndromes associated with stomach cancer may be available through an in person genetic consultation for people who are considered at risk.

The decision to have genetic testing is personal and should always be discussed with trained medical professional. Use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.

• Health professionals who specialize in cancer genetics can also be found at the National Cancer Institute website.

• A medical geneticist can also be found at the American College of Medical Genetics website.

• A genetic counselor can also be found at the National Society of Genetic Counselors website.

Support & More Information

More information can be found at:

• The National Cancer Institute website