Stomach cancer

The stomach is a stretchy, muscular bag that stores food and helps break it down during digestion. You'll find it in the upper left side of the tummy area (abdomen).

Cancer can start in the stomach, and this is called stomach cancer, or sometimes gastric cancer. It may spread to other parts of the body, and it can spread to the lymph nodes close to the stomach.

Your risk of stomach cancer goes up as you get older. Over half of people (50%) diagnosed with it are aged 75 or older.

Symptoms of stomach cancer can be vague, and they could just as easily come from other conditions that are more common and easy to treat. Do remember that.

See a doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new and don't go away:

• difficulty swallowing
• recently lost weight without trying
• regular heartburn or indigestion that you didn't get before
• feeling full after eating small amounts
• pain or discomfort in your stomach that's new or getting worse
• nausea or vomiting

Having one or more of these doesn't mean you have cancer. But if you notice anything that's unusual for you, or that won't go away, you should see a doctor.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer.

The main test used to diagnose stomach cancer is an endoscopy. It is a test to look at the lining of your food pipe (oesophagus), your stomach and your duodenum, which is the first part of your small bowel.

An endoscopy can also be used to give treatment.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about diagnosing stomach cancer. This includes information about:

• what happens when you see your doctor
• tests you may have if you can't have an endoscopy
• more information about further tests

Waiting for test results can be a difficult time. Macmillan Cancer Support has information that can help.

A team of specialists will meet to talk about the best treatment options for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse will explain the different treatments and their side effects. They will also talk with you about the things to think about when you make decisions about treatment.

Your treatment for stomach cancer depends on:

• the stage of the cancer
• your general health
• your personal choices

The treatments below are the main ones used for stomach cancer.

Surgery can be used to remove stomach cancer. It can also relieve the symptoms when the cancer has spread.

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. For stomach cancer, doctors can give it on its own or together with other treatments.

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to treat cancer, and it destroys cancer cells in the area where it's given.

For stomach cancer, doctors can give it together with chemotherapy after surgery. This lowers the risk of the cancer coming back, and it can also help with symptoms such as bleeding from the stomach.

For advanced stomach cancer, doctors sometimes give a targeted therapy drug called trastuzumab together with chemotherapy. Targeted therapy drugs work on something in or around the cancer cell that helps it grow and survive.

It can take a few months to recover from treatment for stomach cancer.

While you're still in hospital, you'll usually have a soft diet, and you'll normally be advised to stay on it for a few weeks. Eating small amounts more often will support your recovery.

Gradually, you'll be able to start eating solid foods again. It may take up to a year to adjust to the changes in your digestive system.

After an operation to remove the stomach or part of the oesophagus, food can travel more quickly through the digestive system. This can cause symptoms called dumping syndrome.

Even if you already live a healthy life, you may decide to make a few positive changes after your stomach cancer treatment. Small things, like keeping active, can improve your health and wellbeing and help your body recover.