GASTRIC CANCER
Most cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas, a type of cancer that develops in the mucosal cells that form the inmost lining of the stomach. Other type of stomach cancers include lymphomas and sarcomas. Stomach cancer can be hard to detect early. Often there are no indications in the early stages and, in many cases, the cancer has spread before it is found. As the disease development, the cancer may invade the stomach wall and/or metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, about 21,260 new cases of gastric cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and that about 11,210 people will die of the disease. Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are in their 60s and 70s. The bulk of people diagnosed with gastric cancer are over the age of 65.
Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, especially in developing countries. Although infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria may be a risk factor, the exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown. Certain populations appear to be at higher risk, with the incidence of gastric cancer highest in Central Europe, South America, and Asia, especially Japan. Yet over the past several decades, the frequency and mortality associated with gastric cancer have decreased significantly in the United States. For example, since 1930, the occurrence has declined about fourfold to about seven cases for every 100,000 people. The reasons for this decline are unknown, but it has been proposed that it may be related to changes in diet and improved food storage.
Most cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas, a type of cancer that develops in the mucosal cells that form the inmost lining of the stomach. Other type of stomach cancers include lymphomas and sarcomas. Stomach cancer can be hard to detect early. Often there are no indications in the early stages and, in many cases, the cancer has spread before it is found. As the disease development, the cancer may invade the stomach wall and/or metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, about 21,260 new cases of gastric cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and that about 11,210 people will die of the disease. Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are in their 60s and 70s. The bulk of people diagnosed with gastric cancer are over the age of 65.
Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, especially in developing countries. Although infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria may be a risk factor, the exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown. Certain populations appear to be at higher risk, with the incidence of gastric cancer highest in Central Europe, South America, and Asia, especially Japan. Yet over the past several decades, the frequency and mortality associated with gastric cancer have decreased significantly in the United States. For example, since 1930, the occurrence has declined about fourfold to about seven cases for every 100,000 people. The reasons for this decline are unknown, but it has been proposed that it may be related to changes in diet and improved food storage.
