Stomach cancer: Expert gastric cancer care

Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is rare in the United States, accounting for about 1.5% of newly diagnosed cancers each year. The average age of diagnosis is 68, and it is more common in men, who make up about 60% of stomach cancer patients.

The disease can form anywhere in the stomach, but patients in the U.S. are more likely to have abnormal cell growth in the area where the stomach connects to the esophagus (gastroesophageal junction). Because stomach cancer grows very slowly, patients typically do not notice symptoms until the disease is more advanced, making it more challenging to treat.

UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center is home to the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. The Carbone Cancer Center also was the first cancer research center founded by a university in the United States.

Symptoms of stomach cancer can include any of these:

• Anemia (not having enough red blood cells)

• Belly pain or bloating

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Difficulty swallowing

• Fatigue or weakness

• Feeling full quickly, even after a small meal or snack

• Heartburn/indigestion

• Nausea/vomiting (especially vomiting blood)

• Loss of appetite

• Unintentional weight loss

(Note - These symptoms can also be signs of other issues; they do not necessarily signal stomach cancer.)

Diagnosing stomach cancer

While there is not a single test that can tell for sure whether stomach cancer is present, doctors will typically order an upper endoscopy if stomach cancer is suspected.

Upper endoscopy

In this procedure, the doctor places a thin tube with a tiny camera at its tip into your mouth until it reaches the stomach. The camera allows the doctor to see the inner lining of your esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine. If something abnormal is seen, the doctor can remove a small sample of the tissue so it can be sent to a lab for a biopsy, which determines whether cancer is present.

Upper endoscopy can also be used as a preventive screening to watch for pre-cancerous tissue for those who may be at higher risk for stomach cancer.

Cancer is often treated with more than one method. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common examples.

After you and your team of doctors sit down to discuss the cancer’s staging and your personal health preferences, you will learn about all potential treatment plans, including the benefits and risks of each course of treatment.

We also communicate closely with your primary care doctor and strive whenever possible to allow for treatment close to home, especially if you do not live close to the Madison, Wisconsin area.

At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, you will meet with a team of doctors — each of whom is an expert in a specific type of cancer treatment, such as surgery, medication or radiation therapy. Working together, your team will present an array of treatment options for your situation.