Learn About Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, which is also referred to as gastric cancer, originates in the stomach cells. There are different types of stomach cancer, and each grows in different parts of the stomach.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. Other types of stomach cancer include lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and carcinoid tumors.

Stomach cancer, a kind of gastrointestinal cancer, most often occurs in older people — about 60 percent of diagnosed patients are older than 64.

Learn more about stomach cancer causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

State-of-the-Art Stomach Cancer Treatment

Together with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, we are the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, meeting the highest standards in cancer research, treatment, prevention and education in the nation. We offer the most advanced treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and access to clinical trials, many of which are not available elsewhere.

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey logo National Cancer Institute logo

New Jersey’s Largest Network of Cancer Specialists

We offer access to New Jersey’s largest network of cancer specialists, including nationally and internationally recognized oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, advanced practice nurses and oncology support professionals with advanced credentials in cancer specialty care with expertise in gastrointestinal cancers.

Oncology Nurse Navigators Guide You

Nurse navigators help secure appointments, coordinate follow-up visits related to treatments and procedures, and guide you through aspects of survivorship.

To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s best gastrointestinal cancer specialists, call 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.

What Causes Stomach Cancer?

The cause of stomach cancer is still being researched. There are, however, many known risk factors.

A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of getting a disease. Some risk factors can be changed and others cannot.

Stomach cancer risk factors include:

  • Gender (more common in men than women)
  • Age (more common in older people)
  • Ethnicity (more common in Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders)
  • Geography (more common in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South and Central America)
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Alcohol use
  • Tobacco use
  • Previous stomach surgery
  • Some types of stomach polyps
  • Inherited cancer syndromes
  • Familial history of stomach cancer
  • Common variable immune deficiency (CVID)
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection
  • Certain occupations (coal, metal, and rubber industry workers)
  • Having type A blood

Symptoms

Stomach cancer symptoms usually do not present in the early stages of the disease. Stomach cancer symptoms may be vague when they do present, often mimicking symptoms of a stomach virus or ulcer. They may include:

  • Indigestion or heartburn
  • Abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Nausea and vomiting, particularly vomiting solid food shortly after eating
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Stomach bloating after meals
  • Loss of appetite
  • The sensation of food being stuck in the throat while eating

Advanced stomach cancer symptoms may include:

  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Vomiting blood
  • Blood in the stool
  • Unexplained weight loss

Patients should make an appointment with their physician if they notice signs of stomach cancer.

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosing stomach cancer is a medical history and physical examination. The physician will gather important information about your symptoms, analyze your risk factors, and feel your belly for any abnormalities.

If the findings in your medical history and physical examination indicate the potential presence of stomach cancer, your physician may order:

  • Upper endoscopy. The stomach is viewed by inserting a thin, flexible tube with a small camera down the throat.
  • Biopsy. Abnormal tissue is collected and sent to the laboratory to analyze for cancer.
  • Imaging tests. The stomach is viewed in the results of imaging studies, including an upper GI series, CT scan, endoscopic ultrasound, PET scan, MRI, and chest x-ray.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Stomach cancer treatment options include:

  • Surgery. Surgery may be performed to remove the cancerous tissue or to decrease bleeding and associated symptoms (palliative surgery).
  • Radiation therapy. High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells and stop them from returning. External radiation involves radiation from a machine outside of the body. Internal radiation places radioactive substances in the body near cancer.
  • Chemotherapy. Drugs are used to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing.
  • Targeted drug therapy. Drugs target changes in cells that cause cancer. They sometimes work when chemotherapy does not and they may cause different side effects.
  • Immunotherapy. Uses the body's immune system to locate and attack cancer.

As the leader in cancer treatment in New Jersey, we provide the latest stomach cancer treatment options, leading to improved outcomes for this rare cancer type.

To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s best gastrointestinal cancer specialists, call 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.

Patient Stories

  • Sisters, Nurses, Breast Cancer Survivors

    Gladys and Grace
    Read More
  • Mother, Advocate, 11-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

    Maureen
    Read More
  • Mother, Wife, 8-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

    Kristine
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
Medical Specialty Services at Bayonne
16 East 29th Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002
(973) 926-7280
View
Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center
377 Jersey Avenue
Ground Floor, Medical Office Building
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(877) 393-5374
View
Center for Breast Health and Disease Management - Westfield
560 Springfield Ave
Westfield, NJ 07090
(973) 322-7020
View
Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7000
View
Community Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast Center
368 Lakehurst Rd
1st Floor
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-3363
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Howell
4013 Route 9
Suite 2S
Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 923-7700
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Colts Neck
310 Route 34 South
Second Floor
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 923-7700
View
Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation Infusion Center
414 Grand Street
Suite 9
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2730
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7700
View
Jersey City Medical Center Radiation Oncology
631 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07304
(844) 226-2376
View
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
View
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
View
Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
View
Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
View
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
195 Little Albany St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 235-2465
View
Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
View
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
View
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Lakewood
600 River Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 923-7700
View
Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Williamson Street Campus
225 Williamson St
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
(908) 994-5000
View
The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7250
View
Monmouth Medical Center Outpatient Infusion Center
100 State Route 36 West
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 222-6046
View
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
View
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
Center for Breast Health and Disease Management - Livingston
200 South Orange Avenue
Suite 102
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7020
View
Jersey City Medical Center Outpatient Services at Colony Plaza
414 Grand Street
Suite 14
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 616-0470
View
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
View
The Family Health Center (FHC) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
166 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
125 Paterson Street
Clinical Academic Building (CAB)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 235-6200
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Group at Monroe
800 Bunn Drive
Suite 303
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 655-5178
View
Laurie Proton Therapy Center
141 French Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 253-3176
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Group
18 Centre Drive
Clinical Academic Building (CAB)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(609) 655-5178
View
Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton
2575 Klockner Road
Hamilton Township, NJ 08690
(609) 631-6960
View

Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment & Care

offered at these locations in your neighborhood

View All Locations