Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, begins with the abnormal growth of the cells lining the stomach. The stomach is an organ in the upper half of the abdomen below the rib cage that performs a significant role in digesting food. Stomach cancer may start in any part of the stomach but usually occurs in the main part of the stomach called the antrum.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. Their severity ranges in size, spreading, and overall patient health. Many times, these are found at an early stage and often can have a very good prognosis, but generally, this is diagnosed at a very advanced stage where treatment is challenging.
Prevalence of Stomach Cancer
Globally, stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer. It ranks as the fourth most common cancer in men and seventh in women. Relatively, though its incidence has decreased significantly over the years, it remains one of the leading cancers in the world.
In 2022, stomach cancer caused over 968,000 diagnosed cases. [1] The highest rates were recorded in Mongolia and Japan. The most common is adenocarcinoma, which originates from the inner lining of the stomach. There are other forms of gastric cancer, but they are much less common than adenocarcinomas.
Stomach Cancer Survival Statistics
Two of the most important factors relating to stomach cancer survival are the stage at which it is diagnosed and the overall health of the patient. Self-evidently, early diagnosis provides a far greater chance of recovery. Unfortunately, the majority of cases are diagnosed in very advanced stages of the disease, when cure prospects are generally lower.
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for stomach cancer is around 36%. [2] However, this number varies quite significantly according to the stage of the cancer:
- 75% for localized stomach cancer, meaning it is confined in the stomach.
- 35% for regional stomach cancer. This means that the stomach cancer has spread to other tissues.
- 7% for metastatic stomach cancer, meaning the cancer has spread to distant organs
Stomach Cancer Costs
Management of stomach cancer can be very expensive, particularly in advanced stages of the disease, where metastasis has occurred. The cost of management will, therefore, vary widely depending on the level of intervention, which will range from supportive care to aggressive treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Treatment and management costs for metastatic stomach cancer in the United States range between $34,000 and $72,000. [3] Other possible factors that may influence these costs include the level of care incurred and the general health status of the patient.
It’s important to note that costs can vary widely based on the country and healthcare facility, with the US used as an example.
Where to Find More Information on Stomach Cancer
The following list includes some of the best resources for credible information on stomach cancer.
Best Websites for Research and Statistics
- National Cancer Institute (NIH)
The National Cancer Institute is an official U.S. government website. It provides a very comprehensive and authoritative overview of stomach cancer, with separate sections on causes, treatment, screening, and testing. It is reliable for those seeking in-depth information in the U.S. Visit their page on Stomach Cancer for more. [4]
- Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK offers a comprehensive guide to stomach cancer, with quick links to sections like symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. In general, it is a good source for learning about the disease in detail, including survival rates. Visit their page on Stomach Cancer for more information. [5]
- Healthline
Healthline gives an in-depth, research-based discussion of stomach cancer, covering everything from causes to symptoms to treatment options. The information is presented well-organized and supplemented with scientific research, making it easier to understand complex information. Check out Stomach Cancer (Gastric Adenocarcinoma) for more details. [6]
- Medical News Today
Medical News Today provides organized, concise content on stomach cancer supported by scientific research. It is a good resource for anyone who wants to know about the disease in a more rounded and scientific way. Learn more at What to Know About Stomach Cancer. [7]
Best Websites for In-Depth Exploration
- American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society provides detailed information on stomach cancer, the anatomy of the stomach, and types of stomach cancer. This resource is especially valuable for its thoroughness and detailed images. Visit What Is Stomach Cancer? for more. [8]
- Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic has highly organized, elaborative content starting from symptoms to the treatment of stomach cancer. They also attach a video explanation, hence making the condition easier to understand visually. Find more information at Stomach Cancer. [9]
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine offers a clear and concise overview of stomach (gastric) cancer. It is an outstanding starting point for anyone in need of a trustworthy resource for basic information. Check out their article on Stomach (Gastric) Cancer. [10]
Best Websites for Quick Reads
- Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic presents concise yet detailed, bullet-pointed information on stomach cancer, making it efficient for a quick read. It covers nearly every aspect of the disease in an easy-to-skim format. Explore their page on Stomach Cancer for more. [11]
- WebMD
WebMD offers a well-organized overview of stomach cancer, covering symptoms, causes, and treatments in a user-friendly manner. Suitable for anyone wanting in-depth information that is summarized on the condition. Visit Stomach Cancer for more details. [12]
- National Health Service (NHS)
It is a UK-based website. A general overview of stomach cancer is outlined in sections, including causes, symptoms, tests, and treatment options. Therefore, gathering information on specific aspects of the disease becomes easier. Check out their page on Stomach Cancer for a quick overview. [13]
- NHS Inform
NHS Inform is a Scottish website that provides an in-depth look at stomach cancer, with separate sections for symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and living with the disease. It gives a very systematic approach to understanding the condition. Explore more at Stomach Cancer. [14]
- Cancer Council
This is an Australian website with clear, concise sections on stomach cancer, covering symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It’s ideal for anyone who learns best with a more organized but brief stomach cancer overview. Additionally, they provide a downloadable fact sheet that goes into greater depth. Find more at Stomach Cancer. [15]
The Bottom Line
Stomach cancer remains one of the most serious health concerns worldwide. Its prevalence and survival rates depend on several interdependent factors relating to diagnosis, treatment protocol, and the patient’s medical history. For further information and more specific details, please refer to the reliable resources mentioned above.
Reference
- “Stomach Cancer Statistics.” WCRF International, 23 Mar. 2022, www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/stomach-cancer-statistics/.
- National Cancer Institute. “Stomach Cancer Survival Rates and Statistics – NCI.” Www.cancer.gov, 12 Apr. 2023, www.cancer.gov/types/stomach/survival.
- Jeong, Yunni, et al. “Patient-Level Costs of Treating Metastatic Gastric Cancer by Treatment Strategy.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 36, no. 4_suppl, 1 Feb. 2018, pp. 167–167, https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2018.36.4_suppl.167.
- Cancer Research UK. “Stomach Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/stomach-cancer.
- “Stomach (Gastric) Cancer—Patient Version – National Cancer Institute.” Www.cancer.gov, www.cancer.gov/types/stomach.
- Cherney, Kristeen. “Stomach Cancer (Gastric Adenocarcinoma).” Healthline, Healthline Media, 18 Nov. 2015, www.healthline.com/health/gastric-cancer.
- Felman , Adam . “Stomach Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 2 Sept. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257341#treatment.
- American Cancer Society. “What Is Stomach Cancer? | Types of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer.” Www.cancer.org, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/about/what-is-stomach-cancer.html.
- Mayo Clinic. “Stomach Cancer – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438.
- John Hopkins Medicine. “Stomach (Gastric) Cancer.” Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stomach-gastric-cancer.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Stomach Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 17 May 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15812-stomach-cancer.
- Bernstein, Susan. “Stomach Cancer.” WebMD, WebMD, 4 May 2006, www.webmd.com/cancer/stomach-gastric-cancer.
- NHS Choices. “Symptoms – Stomach Cancer.” NHS, 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-cancer/.
- “Stomach Cancer.” Www.nhsinform.scot, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/stomach-cancer/.
- “Stomach Cancer.” Www.cancer.org.au, www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/stomach-cancer.
