Gastric cancer

Alternative names:

cancer of the stomach; stomach cancer

Definition:

A malignancy of the stomach.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Gastric cancer is a common cancer of the digestive tract. It occurs most frequently in men over 40 years old. The incidence of gastric cancer is extremely high in Japan, Chile, and Iceland. The incidence of stomach cancer in the USA has declined over the years. Experts propose that the decreased incidence may be related to decreased intake of salt cured and smoked foods, and the increase of Vitamin C intake.

Diagnosis is often delayed by the absence of symptoms in early disease or by self treatment of symptoms.

Risk factors for gastric cancer are family history of gastric cancer, blood type group A, history of pernicious anemia, history of chronic atrophic gastritis, condition of decreased gastric acid, history of adenomatous gastric polyp, and partial gastrectomy. The incidence is 2 out of 10,000 people.