Stomach or gastric cancer refers to any cancer that originates in the stomach. Stomach cancer usually develops slowly over years and there is often an asymptomatic precancerous change in stomach lining.
Adenocarcinoma
Most cases of stomach cancer are adenocarcinoma, which develops from cells along the innermost lining of the stomach (mucosa).
Lymphoma
Lymphoma in the stomach involves cancerous cells in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which is a part of immune system that is located in the wall of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare tumors that begin in the cells of the stomach wall called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs).
Carcinoid Tumor
These rare tumors begin in the hormone-making stomach cells, are generally asymptomatic until an advanced stage and increase the risk of developing cancer elsewhere in the digestive tract.
Age Factors
Approximately two thirds of people diagnosed with stomach cancer are over the age of 65, according to the American Cancer Society.
Tags: rare tumors
