Information about Stomach Cancer and Its Risk Factors

Information about Stomach Cancer and Its Risk Factors

Anton Bilchik MD sometimes treats patients with stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in your stomach, an important organ in the digestive system. It holds and breaks down the food you eat. Your stomach is located in the upper middle of your abdomen, just below your ribs.

The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma. It begins in the mucus-producing cells on the lining inside your stomach.

Stomach cancer, sometimes called gastric cancer, is rare in the United States and is much more common in Japan and China. The rate of stomach cancer in the U.S. is declining. While it is rare in the U.S., the National Cancer Institute says that stomach cancer will have struck more than 13,000 men and 8,000 women in 2013. They also say most of these patients were over the age of 70.

Risk Factors

Doctors do not yet know what causes cancer but they do know certain factors can increase your risk for developing stomach cancer. Infection with the H. pylori bacteria, for example, or long-term inflammation of the stomach increases your risk for gastric cancer. Smoking, a family history of stomach cancer, poor diet, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are also risk factors.

Symptoms

Stomach cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages. Later, as the tumor grows, symptoms can include:

• Discomfort or pain in the upper abdominal area
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nausea and vomiting