Sometimes called gastric cancer, stomach cancer is uncommon in the United States, representing less than 2% of all cancer diagnoses here. However, it also accounts for 1.8% of all cancer deaths, making early detection and treatment crucial for achieving the best possible outcome. For patients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, the oncology experts of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) are here to provide an accurate diagnosis and state-of-the-art cancer care.
Stomach cancer originates when irregular, cancerous cells in the stomach begin to divide and multiply, forming a tumor. Slow-growing in nature, stomach cancer might not cause symptoms until the disease’s later stages. Symptoms worsen in later stages, and stomach cancer may spread to other organs or areas of the body.
The stomach is a J-shaped organ connected to the esophagus and small intestine. A critical part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, its role is to process food by contracting to break food down and by exposing that food to enzymes, acids, and other special cells that aid in digestion. The energy from this food is then absorbed by the body, while the waste exits through the large intestine and rectum.
The stomach has five main sections, including:
The stomach is made up of numerous layers of tissues and muscle, including:
There are several types of stomach cancer, which are named based on the cells in which they originate, , behavior, or other characteristics:
The most common stomach cancer risk factors include the following:
The risk for stomach cancer is elevated if a person has a family or personal history of cancer, especially mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma or other stomach cancer types. Previous stomach surgery and the following pre-existing conditions also can increase risk:
Each individual’s risk varies depending on demographic and hereditary factors, such as:
Stomach cancer risk is also increased by:
Stomach cancer is more prevalent in Central America, Eastern Europe, and Eastern Asia, while it is less common in North America and Africa. Further, professionals working in rubber, metal, and coal industries may be at higher risk.
Stomach cancer shares symptoms with many other medical conditions, ranging from a stomach virus to an ulcer. The signs of stomach cancer may include:
It is important to note that most people experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed above will not have stomach cancer. However, because those symptoms can represent a range of conditions, from the minor and temporary to the very serious, it is important to consult a medical professional promptly for evaluation. When physicians are concerned that a patient may have stomach cancer or another serious gastrointestinal condition, their assessment typically includes a detailed personal and family history, a physician examination, bloodwork and, potentially:
Staging identifies how far cancer has progressed. Oncologists use the TNM system for tumor evaluation. TNM stands for:
Stomach cancer is classified into the following stages, which are based on the tumor’s progression and location in the stomach:
At Regional Cancer Care Associates, expert oncologists serve patients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, providing the latest cancer treatments at more than 20 state-of-the-art, community-based facilities. When it comes to treating stomach cancer, Regional Cancer Care Associates oncologists may draw upon one or more of the following approaches in developing evidence-based, highly personalized treatment plans:
Trust the compassionate stomach cancer care provided by RCCA’s experienced, expert oncologists. For more information, contact RCCA or reach out to a location and schedule a consultation with a board-certified oncologist.
When standard cancer treatments aren’t providing the results you want, clinical trials may offer hope. Our physicians use clinical trials to study new treatments, helping transform cancer care for the better. You can enroll in a clinical trial to try groundbreaking treatment plans at zero cost to you.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
