Cancer is found in all parts of the stomach, but most commonly in the mucosa, or the innermost region. Stomach cancer can spread to nearby organs such as the pancreas, the colon, and the liver, as well as through the bloodstream to the lymph nodes, bones, or far organs like the lungs.

• Stomach cancer occurs most often in patients over the age of 50
• Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed
• Tobacco use
• Certain diets
• Family history
• Past stomach surgeries

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Early satiety
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Bleeding in the stool
• Vomiting blood

In a fecal occult blood test,a small portion of the patient's stool is tested with a chemical. The presence of hidden, or occult, blood in the stool may indicate malignant growth, but hidden blood in the stool can also be found when cancer is not occurring.

During a barium swallow, the patient drinks a liquid containing barium, which coats the esophagus and stomach, making any abnormal growth visible in x-rays. Very often a "double contrast" technique is used, whereby air is pumped into the stomach through a swallowed tube after the patient has drank the barium-containing liquid. The air makes the barium coating thinner and better able to illustrate smaller areas of unusual growth. This procedure is known as a barium upper GI radiograph.

In an endoscopy, a long thin tube is extended down the patient's throat, through the esophagus and to the stomach. The physician uses the tube, or endoscope, to see closer if there is any abnormal growth. If so, a biopsy can be performed in which some tissue can be removed and examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Biopsies can accurately determine whether cancerous growths are occurring.

Surgery: Removal of the entire stomach or part of the stomach during a gastrectomy, as well as other areas of the body to which the cancer has spread. If the cancer cannot be removed by standard surgery because the stomach opening is blocked by the tumor, endoluminal stent placement, endoscopic laser surgery, or electrocautery are other options.

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Chemoradiation: combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy to increase the effects of both. Chemoradiation treatment given after surgery to increase the chances of a cure is called adjuvant therapy. If it is given before surgery, it is called neoadjuvant therapy.