Stomach cancer
Symptoms & causes
Diagnosis & treatment
Doctors & departments
Care at Mayo Clinic
Overview
Gastroesophageal junction and stomachOpen pop-up dialog box
Gastroesophageal junction cancerOpen pop-up dialog box
Stomach cancerOpen pop-up dialog box
Stomach cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the stomach. The stomach is a muscular sac located in the upper middle of your abdomen, just below your ribs. Your stomach receives and holds the food you eat and then helps to break down and digest it.
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach (stomach body).
But in the United States, stomach cancer is more likely to affect the area where the long tube (esophagus) that carries food you swallow meets the stomach. This area is called the gastroesophageal junction.
Where the cancer occurs in the stomach is one factor doctors consider when determining your treatment options. Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the stomach cancer. Other treatments may be recommended before and after surgery.
Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
Stomach cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the stomach. The stomach is a muscular sac located in the upper middle of your abdomen, just below your ribs. Your stomach receives and holds the food you eat and then helps to break down and digest it.
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach (stomach body).
But in the United States, stomach cancer is more likely to affect the area where the long tube (esophagus) that carries food you swallow meets the stomach. This area is called the gastroesophageal junction.
Where the cancer occurs in the stomach is one factor doctors consider when determining your treatment options. Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the stomach cancer. Other treatments may be recommended before and after surgery.
Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
Difficulty swallowing
Feeling bloated after eating
Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
Heartburn
Indigestion
Nausea
Stomach pain
Unintentional weight loss
Vomiting
When to see a doctor
If you have signs and symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will likely investigate more-common causes of these signs and symptoms first.
