Your stomach is an organ that helps digest the food you eat. When you swallow, food moves through a tube (esophagus) and into the stomach, where it mixes with stomach acid.
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is one type of gastrointestinal cancer. You might be at risk for stomach cancer if you are:
- A smoker
- Male
- Over age 65
- Someone with a family history of stomach cancer
If you've had a certain bacterial infection (helicobacter pylori infection), you might also be at higher risk for stomach cancer. A history of eating smoked or salty foods may also put you at risk of developing this cancer.
You might mistake signs of stomach cancer for other digestive problems. Stomach cancer symptoms include:
- Blood in the bowel movements
- Discomfort or nausea
- Trouble swallowing
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Different types of cancer begin in the stomach. We treat:
Adenocarcinomas of the stomach
Adenocarcinoma is the most common stomach cancer type. This cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the stomach (mucosa) grow in ways that aren't typical.
Adenocarcinoma types include:
- Diffuse: Grows and spreads more quickly
- Intestinal: Cells have genetic change (mutations) that doctors can treat
Neuroendocrine tumors of the stomach
Cancer develops in certain types of stomach cells. Some of these cells act like nerve cells and other cells act like cells that make hormones (endocrine cells). Together, these cells help control the flow of digestive juices and how food moves through your system.
Our experts diagnose stomach cancer using several different tests. We start by talking with you about any symptoms you're having and doing a physical exam.
Depending on what we learn, we may use:
- Biopsy
- Imaging tests
- Laparoscopy
- Upper endoscopy
We consider your age, overall health and whether stomach cancer is growing or has spread when designing your treatment plan. Experts use different cancer treatments to treat stomach cancer, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Endoscopic resection
- Partial gastrectomy
- Total gastrectomy
- Targeted therapy
Our experts and partners also research new ways to treat cancer. Please read about our work at Sentara Health Research Center.