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Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, refers to cancer which develops in your stomach lining and has the ability to multiply and spread.

Last modified: January 31, 2022

Quick facts about stomach cancerQuick facts

Stomach cancer accounts for less than 2% of new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia
Cases of stomach cancer have decreased over the past decade
Men are almost twice as likely to develop stomach cancer compared to women

Types of stomach cancerTypes of stomach cancer

There are many different kinds of stomach cancer, however the most common type is adenocarcinoma. This usually develops slowly over several years in the inner lining of the stomach, called the mucosa.

Signs and symptoms of stomach cancerSigns and symptoms

As signs and symptoms for stomach cancer can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a stomach cancer diagnosis.

Stomach cancer can be difficult to detect as it may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include:

Pain and discomfort in the abdomen
Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
Gastrointestinal bleeding which may appear in vomit or bowel motions
Frequent vomiting
Appetite loss
Rapid weight loss
Swelling of the abdomen

Stages of stomach cancerStages

The TNM system is used to stage stomach cancer, and it helps doctors understand what your cancer looks like. The TNM stands for:

Tumour (T) – Describes the size of the tumour and the extent the cancer has spread. The tumour can be graded from T1 (describing a tumour 5cm or less) to T2 (greater than 5cm)
Nodes (N) – Describes whether the tumour has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Nodes can be graded from N0, where there has been no spread, through to N1, where the cancer has spread the lymph nodes
Metastasis (M) – Describes whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Metastasis can be graded from M0, where there has been no spread through to M1, where the cancer has spread to other organs of the body and produced additional tumours

The TNM information, along with other tests, helps determine the stage of your stomach cancer using the guidelines below:

Stage 0

The cancer is in its earliest stage and is still located in the innermost layer of the stomach wall.

Stage IA

The cancer is located in the innermost layer of the stomach wall.

Stage IB

The cancer is located in the inner layer of the stomach wall and is found in up to two surrounding lymph nodes. Alternatively, the cancer has spread through to the muscularis layer of the stomach wall.

Stage II

The cancer has spread through the inner layer of the stomach wall and is found in up to 15 surrounding lymph nodes or has spread to the muscularis layer and is found in up to six surrounding lymph nodes. Alternatively, the cancer has spread to the serosal layer but no to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIA

The cancer has spread to the muscularis layer and is found in seven to 15 lymph nodes near the tumour. Alternatively, the cancer has spread to the serosal layer of the stomach wall, is found in up to six lymph nodes near the tumour and has spread to nearby organs.

Stage IIIB

The cancer has spread to the outermost layer of the stomach wall and is found in up to six lymph nodes near the tumour. Alternatively, the tumour is in the inner layer of the stomach wall and has involved up to 15 lymph nodes near the tumour.

Stage IIIC

The cancer has spread to the outermost layer of the stomach and involves up to 16 lymph nodes.

Stage IV

The cancer has spread to distant organs of the body including liver, lungs, brain or bone.

Treatment for stomach cancer

There are many different types of treatment for stomach cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about stomach cancerFAQs

Is stomach cancer hereditary?

Stomach cancer can be hereditary, which means the risk of developing stomach cancer may be inherited from your parents. You may also inherit other genetic syndromes that can increase your risk of stomach cancer, such as:

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC)
Lynch syndrome
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Familial adenomatous polyposis
Gastric adenoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS)
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)

What causes stomach cancer?

The exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown, however there are some factors which are known to increase the risk for development of stomach cancers including your age, gender, weight, lifestyle, exposure and your past medical history.

What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?

Risk factors that have been associated with developing stomach cancer include:

Gender – Men are almost twice as likely to develop stomach cancer than women
Age – Stomach cancer is more common in people aged over 60
Medical history – Stomach cancer can be more common in people who have previously undergone stomach surgery, have experienced stomach polyps, Helicobacter pylori infection, have menetrier disease or pernicious anaemia
Being overweight
Diet – Diets high in processed foods, grilled foods and preservatives, including salts and pickling agents, and low in fresh fruits and raw vegetables lead to an increased risk of developing stomach cancer
Exposure – You have an increased risk of developing stomach cancer if you are exposed to certain chemicals and drugs including excessive use of alcohol and tobacco
Genetics – People with familial history of stomach cancer or certain inherited syndromes have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer

How common is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is a less common type of cancer. In 2021 it was estimated that there would be less than 2,400 new cases in Australia, which accounts for less than 1.6% off all cancer diagnoses nationally.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

Tests to diagnose stomach cancer include:

Upper endoscopy investigation, which looks at the digestive tract and detects any potentially cancerous areas
Stomach tissue biopsy to analyse and confirm whether cancer is present
CT scan to identify any metastatic cancer in distant areas of the body

Where can I find out more about stomach cancer screening?

There is no national screening program for stomach cancer in Australia.

Are there clinical trials available for stomach cancer that I can participate in?

Icon offers clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types and treatments. If you would like more information on participating in a clinical trial, please speak with your doctor who will be able to find a trial that might be right for you and your cancer.

See current clinical trials delivered by Icon Cancer Centre.

ReferencesReferences

For a full list of references, click here.

Cancer Australia. (2019, December 18). Stomach cancer statistics. Cancer Australia. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from http://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/stomach-cancer/statistics
American Cancer Society. (2021, January 22). What are the risk factors for stomach cancer? American Cancer Society. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
American Cancer Society. (2021, January 22). Stomach (gastric) cancer key statistics. American Cancer Society. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
Cancer Council. (2021, October). Stomach cancer: Causes, symptoms & treatments. Cancer Council. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from http://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/stomach-cancer

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