Gastric Cancer Receives
of the funding given to breast cancer.
27k
cases of gastric cancer diagnosed this year.
Half of those will lead to death.
Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with 769,000 deaths in 2020.
The American Cancer Society estimates that just under 27,000 U.S. cases of gastric cancer will be diagnosed in 2024 and nearly half of those cases will lead to death.
A 2012 study in the scholarly journal BMC Public Health found that gastric cancer is also the most underfunded form of cancer compared to its mortality and years of life lost rates. For example, gastric cancer receives less than 10 percent of the funding given to breast cancer.
What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer is cancer of the stomach. Commonly, abnormal or malignant cancer cells develop in the wall of the stomach due to an error in the cells’ DNA that cause them to grow and spread. Gastric cancer often begins with precancerous cells that can take years to develop, often allowing them to advance without causing symptoms. More than 90 percent of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which occur in the innermost layer of the stomach known as the mucosa.
According to the American Cancer Society, if the cancer is localized, meaning that it hasn’t spread outside the stomach, the five-year relative survival rate is 75 percent. If it’s regionalized, meaning it has spread to nearby body parts, the five-year relative survival rate is 35 percent. If the cancer has spread to distant sites, the five-year relative survival rate is 7 percent.
Sadly, because gastric cancer often develops without causing symptoms, only 1 in 5 U.S. cases of gastric cancer are detected in the early stages. The need for more research into innovative treatment options for gastric cancer patients has never been more clear.
Typical Symptoms of Gastric Cancer
Stomach
pain & bloating
weight loss &
fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your physician. Don’t delay.
Gastric Cancer Risk Factors
Anyone can develop gastric cancer, but the following factors can increase an individuals risk:
Age
People over the age of 55 are more likely to receive gastric cancer diagnosis.
Family History
Those with a family history of gastric cancer are at higher risk of developing it.
Gender
Men are at higher risk of developing the disease than women.
Helicobactor pylori
The bacteria, also known as H. pylori, has been linked to gastric cancer.
Diet
Higher consumption of salty or smoked foods and red meat can increase the risk of developing gastric cancer, while eating fresh fruits and vegetables can lower the risk.
Surgery History
Previous stomach surgeries can change the body’s production of stomach acids, potentially allowing carcinogenic bacteria to build up.
What Are the Gastric
Cancer Types?
1
Adenocarcinoma: More than 90 percent of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which occur in the innermost layer of the stomach known as the mucosa.
2
3
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): Although rare, this cancer originates in the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are found in the stomach wall’s muscle layers.
4
Carcinoid tumor: These tumors begin in the stomach’s hormone-making cells and are less likely to spread than other forms of gastric cancer.
Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the world.
What Treatments Are Available?
Surgery
Depending on an individual’s cancer stage and health, surgery can be an effective option to remove tumors and prevent spread.
Chemotherapy
Cancer patients may take chemotherapy drugs to kill the cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. Chemo may be given ahead of surgery to shrink tumors.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy treatments stimulate or enhance a patient’s immune system to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Therapies
These drugs target certain genes or proteins in cancer cells. Depending on a patient’s cancer, targeted therapies may be a promising treatment in addition to traditional chemo.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Like chemo, it is also often used before surgery to shrink tumors.