Stomach cancer
Also called: Gastric cancer
Cancer arising from the stomach lining, strongly linked to long-term Helicobacter pylori infection. It is often advanced when found because early symptoms are vague.
Condition-specific references are below. Individual claims and this page have not been clinically reviewed. Read about this content.
Causes
- Chronic H. pylori infection leading to atrophy and intestinal metaplasia
- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (CDH1)
Risk factors
- H. pylori
- Smoking
- Salted, smoked and pickled foods
- Family history
- Pernicious anaemia
- East Asian populations
Symptoms
- Indigestion and upper abdominal pain
- Feeling full quickly
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Anaemia or black stools
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- Endoscopy and biopsy
- CT and PET-CT staging
- Staging laparoscopy
- HER2 and PD-L1 testing
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Perioperative chemotherapy (FLOT)
- Trastuzumab for HER2-positive disease
- Immunotherapy (nivolumab) with chemotherapy
Operations and procedures
- Endoscopic resection of very early cancers
- Gastrectomy (partial or total) with lymph node removal
- Stenting for obstruction
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Dietitian support after gastrectomy
- Vitamin B12 injections after total gastrectomy
Possible complications
- Bleeding, obstruction, spread to liver and peritoneum
Prevention
- Treating H. pylori
- Diet rich in fruit and vegetables
- Not smoking
Outlook
Early cancers are often curable; overall five-year survival is about 30%.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for persistent indigestion over 55, swallowing difficulty, weight loss or black stools.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
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