Where does stomach cancer usually start?

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, can happen in any part of the stomach. However, in the U.S., most stomach cancers occur in the gastroesophageal junction, which is where the esophagus - the tube that carries chewed up food - meets the stomach.


Where do you feel stomach cancer?

Abdominal (belly) pain. Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel. Feeling full after eating only a small meal. Heartburn or indigestion.

What are the symptoms of Stage 1 stomach cancer?

Early stage symptoms include:
  • persistent indigestion.
  • trapped wind and frequent burping.
  • heartburn.
  • feeling full very quickly when eating.
  • feeling bloated after eating.
  • feeling sick.
  • pain in your stomach or breastbone.
  • difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)


Where Does stomach cancer usually spread to first?

This type of cancer is most likely to spread to the liver or peritoneum, which is the membrane lining of the abdominal cavity. Other areas where stomach cancer commonly spreads include the lungs and bones.

What is the most common cancer of the stomach?

Adenocarcinomas. 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).


Diagnosis and Detection of Stomach Cancer



What ages usually get stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer mostly affects older people. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 68. About 6 of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are 65 or older. The lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer is higher in men (about 1 in 96) than in women (about 1 in 152).

Who typically gets stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer occurs most commonly in people older than 55. Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are in their 60s and 70s. Gender. Men are twice as likely to develop stomach cancer as women.

Can you have stomach cancer for years without knowing?

Yes, stomach cancer can go undetected for years because there are no warning signs in the early stages. However, while early signs of stomach cancer are often vague, recognizing them will increase the likelihood of discovering the disease sooner.


Does stomach cancer happen quickly?

Stomach cancer is a slow-growing cancer that usually develops over a year or longer. Generally, there are no symptoms in the early stages (asymptomatic). As the disease progresses, a variety of symptoms can develop.

What can be mistaken for stomach cancer?

Misdiagnosing Stomach Cancer

Consequently, stomach cancer may be confused with the following conditions: Irritable bowel syndrome. A condition that affects the lower gastrointestinal tract and causes abnormal bowel movements and abdominal pain. Indigestion.

How do I know if I've got stomach cancer?

loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to. a lump at the top of your tummy. pain at the top of your tummy. feeling tired or having no energy.


Is stomach cancer easily curable?

When gastric cancer is found very early, there is a better chance of recovery. Gastric cancer is often in an advanced stage when it is diagnosed. At later stages, gastric cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured.

What are the symptoms of Stage 2 stomach cancer?

Symptoms if cancer spreads to the tissue lining your abdomen (peritoneum)
  • loss of appetite.
  • indigestion.
  • feeling sick.
  • constipation.
  • shortness of breath.


What type of pain is stomach cancer?

Stomach pain: Abdominal discomfort or pain in the abdomen above the navel may be a symptom of a stomach tumor. Also, swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen may also be caused by stomach cancer.


How common is stomach cancer?

As mentioned above, stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers nationally each year. The American Cancer Society's 2022 estimates include 26,380 new cases and 11,090 deaths from gastric cancer.

Does stomach cancer show up in blood tests?

The doctor might order a blood test to look for anemia (a low red blood cell count), which could be caused by the cancer bleeding into the stomach. A test might also be done to look for blood in your stool (feces) that can't be seen by the naked eye, which could also be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.

Do most people survive stomach cancer?

If the cancer is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the stomach, the 5-year survival rate is 70%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 32%.


What is the main cause of stomach cancer?

For example, a diet high in smoked or salted foods and processed meat and low in vegetables is a risk factor for stomach cancer, as is drinking alcohol and smoking. Helicobacter pylori, a microorganism that infects the inner lining of stomach, also contributes to cancer development.

Why is stomach cancer diagnosed so late?

The troubling part is that stomach cancer rarely shows symptoms in the early stages. With the tumor being impossible to see from the outside, most cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed at a late stage.

Are all stomach cancers fatal?

65 out of 100 people (65%) with stage 1 stomach cancer will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they're diagnosed. Around 35 out of 100 people (around 35%) with stage 2 stomach cancer will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they're diagnosed.


Can a CT scan detect stomach cancer?

Your doctor may use a CT scan, a type of X-ray that creates cross-sectional, three-dimensional pictures of the stomach and nearby organs. A CT scan can reveal whether cancer has spread to any of the abdominal organs, such as the liver.

What are the 5 warning signs of stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer can present itself in several different ways, such as difficulty swallowing, feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after only eating a small amount of food, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, unintentional weight loss, and vomiting.

What is the first test for stomach cancer?

Upper endoscopy is the most common test used to detect stomach cancer. Some countries use X-rays to detect stomach cancer. Stomach cancer screening is an active area of cancer research. Scientists are studying blood tests and other ways to detect stomach cancer before it causes symptoms.


Does an endoscopy show stomach cancer?

Ngamruengphong says upper endoscopy is the gold standard test for diagnosing stomach cancer today. During an upper endoscopy procedure: Patients receive general sedation so they are asleep for the procedure and feel no pain.

What organs are affected by stomach cancer?

About 95% of the time, stomach cancer starts in your stomach lining and progresses slowly. Untreated, it can form a mass (tumor) and grow deeper into your stomach walls. The tumor may spread to nearby organs like your liver and pancreas.