Patient education: Stomach cancer (The Basics)

What is stomach cancer? — 

This is when normal cells in the stomach change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The stomach is part of the gastrointestinal system, also called the "GI tract" (figure 1).

There are different kinds of stomach cancer, depending on the type of cells and part of the stomach involved.

Some people who get stomach cancer have a condition called "H. pylori" infection. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and intestines. Infection with H. pylori sometimes causes symptoms such as belly pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting. If it is not treated, it can lead to stomach cancer.

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer? — 

At first, stomach cancer might not cause any symptoms.

When it does cause symptoms, they can include:

●Weight loss

●Belly pain, especially in the upper belly

●Trouble swallowing

●Having no appetite, or feeling full after eating a small amount

●Nausea

●Feeling tired or short of breath (from a condition called "anemia," which is when people have too few red blood cells)

All these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not stomach cancer. But if you have these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.

Is there a test for stomach cancer? — 

Yes. Tests can include:

●Upper endoscopy – This is the most common test for stomach cancer. The doctor puts a thin tube with a camera and light on the end (called an "endoscope") into the mouth and down into the stomach. This lets them look at the stomach lining (figure 2).

●Biopsy – This is done during an upper endoscopy. The doctor takes a small sample of tissue from an abnormal-looking area of the stomach. Then, another doctor looks at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer.

●Blood tests

●Imaging tests of the stomach, such as a CT scan – These create pictures of the inside of the body.

Your doctor will also check for H. pylori infection. This can be done in different ways. They include looking at a stomach biopsy or doing breath tests, blood tests, or other lab tests.

What is cancer staging? — 

This is a way for doctors to find out how far a cancer has spread.

The right treatment for you depends a lot on the type and stage of your stomach cancer and your other medical problems.

How is stomach cancer treated? — 

Stomach cancer is usually treated with 1 or more of these:

●Surgery to remove the cancer – The doctor might remove part or all of your stomach. If they remove all of it, they will reconnect your GI tract so you can eat.

●Chemotherapy – These are medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Sometimes, people get chemotherapy before having surgery.

●Radiation therapy – This kills cancer cells.

●Immunotherapy – These are medicines that work with the body's infection-fighting system (the "immune system") to stop cancer growth.

●Targeted therapy – Some medicines work only for cancers that have certain characteristics. Your doctor might test you to see if you have a kind of stomach cancer that would respond to these medicines.

Stomach cancer can sometimes be cured with treatment. This is most likely when the cancer is found at an early stage. But finding it early is not common. If your stomach cancer cannot be cured, your doctor can do other treatments to help with your symptoms.

If you have H. pylori infection, your doctor will treat it with medicines. This usually involves taking 3 or more medicines for 1 to 2 weeks. This will not get rid of your cancer. But it might lower the chances your cancer will come back again after treatment.

What happens after treatment? — 

Your doctor will check you every so often to see if the cancer comes back. Follow-up tests might include exams, blood tests, upper endoscopy, or imaging tests.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any of the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms could mean your stomach cancer has come back.

What happens if my stomach cancer comes back or spreads? — 

You might have more chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy. You might also have other treatments to help with your symptoms.

What else should I do? — 

Follow all your doctor's instructions about visits and tests. It's also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you have during treatment.

Getting treated for stomach cancer involves making many choices, such as what treatment to have. Always tell your doctors and nurses how you feel about a treatment.

Any time you are offered a treatment, ask:

●What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?

●What are the risks of this treatment?

●Are there other options besides this treatment?

●What happens if I do not have this treatment?

More on this topic

Patient education: H. pylori infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Stomach ache and stomach upset (The Basics)
Patient education: Stomach polyps (The Basics)
Patient education: Gastritis (The Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: CA 19-9 test (The Basics)
Patient education: External beam radiation therapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Biopsy (The Basics)
Patient education: Chemotherapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Dumping syndrome (The Basics)

Patient education: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Upset stomach (functional dyspepsia) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (Beyond the Basics)