Overview
With stomach cancer — also called gastric cancer — cancer cells grow out of control in your stomach. Cancer can form anywhere in your stomach. In the U.S., most cases of stomach cancer involve abnormal cell growth in the place where your stomach meets your esophagus (gastroesophageal junction). In other countries, where gastric cancer is more common, cancer usually forms in the main part of your stomach.
About 95% of the time, stomach cancer starts in your stomach lining and progresses slowly. Untreated, it can form a mass (tumor) and grow deeper into your stomach walls. The tumor may spread to nearby organs like your liver and pancreas.
Who does stomach cancer affect?
Anyone can develop stomach cancer, but certain demographic factors may increase your risk. You’re more likely to get stomach cancer if:
- You’re 65 or over.
- You were assigned male at birth.
- Your ethnic background is East Asian, South or Central American or Eastern European.
How common is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide but is seen less often in the U.S. Only about 1.5% of stomach cancers get diagnosed each year in the U.S., where cases have been declining steadily for the past 10 years.
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