Living with Gastric cancer
Cancer of the stomach, which is hard to find early and mostly affects older adults.
Understanding Gastric cancer
The stomach mixes food with acid and helps digest protein. About two-thirds of people with stomach cancer are over 65. Risk is higher with a past Helicobacter pylori infection, stomach inflammation, being male, smoking, a family history, or eating lots of salted, smoked, or pickled foods. It is hard to diagnose in its early stages.
Signs & symptoms
Early symptoms can be mild and also come from other problems. GARD lists these:
- Indigestion
- Stomach discomfort
- Blood in the stool
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Trouble swallowing
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with No Stomach For Cancer
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD lists risk factors, not one cause: past H. pylori infection, stomach inflammation, smoking, family history, and eating lots of salted, smoked, or pickled foods.
Also known as: ca lesser curvature - stomach; cancer of stomach; gastric cancer risk after h. pylori infection; gastric cancer, somatic; gc; malignant gastric neoplasm
Patient organizations
- No Stomach For CancerGastric cancer · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Gastric cancer.
Explore research for Gastric cancer
Explore actively recruiting Gastric cancer studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Gastric cancer with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Gastric cancer studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Gastric cancer
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Gastric cancer experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.