Stomach cancer

also known as gastric cancer
Cancer care
cancer diagnosis

Most cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach.

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How common is stomach cancer?

Below are a series of statistics on stomach cancer to indicate how common the condition is and possible figures related to its treatment.

1 in 493
1 in 493
1 in 493
South Africans have a lifetime risk of developing cancer of the stomach.

Other types of cancer

Below you can find information on other types of cancer screenings that you might be interested in.

Bladder cancer

Cancer of the bladder

The fourth most common cancer in men and the twelfth most common cancer in women.

Breast cancer

Cancer of the breast

Cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix

If detected early, cancer of the cervix can be one of the most successfully treatable cancers...

Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the rectum or colon

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

Sarcoma

Cancerous tumours of the soft tissues

A broad term for cancers that start in soft tissues like muscle, tendons, fat, lymph and blood vessels, and nerves.

Throat cancer

Cancer of the throat

A fast-growing cancer; therefore early treatment is key to having a good quality of life.

Lung Cancer

Caner of the lung

People who smoke are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer, though lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked.

Melanoma

A type of skin cancer

The primary known cause of melanoma, as well as all other types of skin cancer, is exposure to ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight.

Lymphoma

Cancer of lymphocytes

Lymphoma can be divided broadly into 2 types of lymphoma: Hodgkins Lymphoma or Hodgkins Disease (HD) and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL).

Head and neck cancers

Cancer of the head and neck

These cancers, that could include oesophageal cancer, usually begin in the cells that line the moist surfaces (mucosal membranes) inside the...

Ovarian cancer

Cancer of the ovary

Recent evidence suggests that many ovarian cancers may actually start in the cells in the far end of the fallopian...

Prostate cancer

Cancer of the prostate gland

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. The lifetime risk for prostate cancer in men in South Africa, is 1 in 18.

Stomach cancer

Also known as gastric cancer

Most cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach.

Thyroid cancer

Cancer of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland makes hormones that help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Uterine cancer

Cancer of the uterus or womb

Most uterine cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus.

 
 
 

Stomach Cancer

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can then spread to other areas of the body.

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins when cells in the lining of the stomach start to grow out of control.

What is Stomach (gastric) cancer?

Most cancers of the stomach (about 90% to 95%) are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach (the mucosa).

If you are told you have stomach cancer (or gastric cancer), it will almost always be an adenocarcinoma. There are 2 main types of stomach adenocarcinomas:

The intestinal type tends to have a slightly better prognosis. The cancer cells are more likely to have certain gene changes that might allow for treatment with targeted drug therapy.

The diffuse type tends to grow and spread more quickly. It is less common than the intestinal type, and it tends to be harder to treat.

Most cancers of the stomach (about 90% to 95%) are adenocarcinomas.
 

Symptoms

In the early stages of gastric cancer, the following symptoms may occur:

Indigestion and stomach discomfort

Mild nausea

Heartburn

A bloated feeling after eating

Loss of appetite

In more advanced stages of gastric cancer, the following signs and symptoms may occur:

Blood in the stool

Weight loss for no known reason

Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)

Trouble swallowing

Vomiting

Stomach pain

Ascites (build-up of fluid in the abdomen)

Causes

Stomach cancers, like other cancers, are caused by changes in the DNA inside cells. DNA is the chemical that carries our genes, which control how our cells function.

Some genes control when cells grow, divide into new cells, and die:

Genes that normally help cells grow, divide, and stay alive can sometimes change to become oncogenes. Genes that help keep cell division under control, repair mistakes in DNA, or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes. Cancers can be caused by DNA changes that keep oncogenes turned on, or that turn off tumor suppressor genes.

Inherited versus acquired gene mutations:

Inherited mutations in some genes (as explained in Stomach Cancer Risk Factors) can increase a person’s stomach cancer risk. But these are thought to cause only a small percentage of stomach cancers.

Most of the gene changes that lead to stomach cancer occur after birth. Some of these acquired mutations might be caused by risk factors such as H.pylori infection or tobacco use. But other gene changes may just be random events that sometimes happen inside cells, without having an outside cause.

Inherited versus acquired gene mutations:

Inherited mutations in some genes (as explained in Stomach Cancer Risk Factors) can increase a person’s stomach cancer risk. But these are thought to cause only a small percentage of stomach cancers.

Most of the gene changes that lead to stomach cancer occur after birth. Some of these acquired mutations might be caused by risk factors such as H.pylori infection or tobacco use. But other gene changes may just be random events that sometimes happen inside cells, without having an outside cause.

Risk factors

Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk for stomach cancer.

Risk factors for stomach cancer include the following:

  • Having any of the following medical conditions:
  • Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection of the stomach
  • Chronic gastric atrophy (thinning of the stomach lining caused by long-term inflammation of the stomach).
  • Pernicious anemia (a type of anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency)
  • Intestinal metaplasia (a condition in which the cells that line the stomach are replaced by the cells that normally line the intestines).
  • Polyps in the stomach
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
  • Having a mother, father, sister, or brother who has had stomach cancer.
  • Having had a partial gastrectomy
  • Eating a diet high in salted, smoked foods or low in fruits and vegetables.
  • Eating foods that have not been prepared or stored the way they should be.
  • Smoking cigarettes

The risk of stomach cancer is increased in people who come from countries where stomach cancer is common.

Most of the gene changes that lead to stomach cancer occur after birth.

Risk factors

Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk for stomach cancer.

Risk factors for stomach cancer include the following:

  • Having any of the following medical conditions:
  • Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection of the stomach
  • Chronic gastric atrophy (thinning of the stomach lining caused by long-term inflammation of the stomach).
  • Pernicious anemia (a type of anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency)
  • Intestinal metaplasia (a condition in which the cells that line the stomach are replaced by the cells that normally line the intestines).
  • Polyps in the stomach
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
  • Having a mother, father, sister, or brother who has had stomach cancer.
  • Having had a partial gastrectomy
  • Eating a diet high in salted, smoked foods or low in fruits and vegetables.
  • Eating foods that have not been prepared or stored the way they should be.
  • Smoking cigarettes

The risk of stomach cancer is increased in people who come from countries where stomach cancer is common.

The risk of stomach cancer is increased in people who come from countries where stomach cancer is common.

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