Overview
About stomach cancer
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.
Signs of stomach cancer
Symptoms and diagnosis
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.
Other diagnostic tools
Other tools that may be used include:
A special type of endoscopy that can help determine the stage of the cancer, a process that identifies how large the tumor is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Such as a CT scan, barium swallow or MRI. These can help identify tumors and other abnormalities that could be cancer-related.
An imaging procedure that allows doctors to see whether disease is present in other parts of the body.
A type of surgery that helps determine the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other organs.
Treatment options
Know your options
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.
Treatment options include:
Many patients with stomach cancer opt for surgery, which can involve removal of just the cancerous part of the stomach or the entire stomach.
These are drugs to stop cancer cells from growing, either by killing them or stopping them from dividing. It is typically given through injection into a vein or in pill form.
This treatment uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Radiation is typically given in combination with chemotherapy or after surgery.
Patients receive drugs or other substances that identify and attack specific cancer cells.
This treatment makes use of the patient’s immune system to fight cancer.
Clinical trials
More than 250 clinical trials are available for patient enrollment at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center. A clinical trial allows you to have access to the most innovative and advanced treatments being developed by cancer researchers. Learn more about clinical trials
Second opinions
If you are diagnosed with stomach or esophageal cancer, it’s important to know all your options. At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we offer second opinions on stomach cancer diagnoses and treatment plans.
Meet our team
Experts in all facets of stomach cancer
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.
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