This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is about cancer* of the stomach. Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer.

Each year in the United States, about 13,000 men and 8,000 women are diagnosed with stomach cancer. Most are over 70 years old.

This booklet tells about diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, supportive care, and follow-up care. It also describes how to take part in research studies. Learning about medical care for stomach cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your care.

This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor--to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.

For the latest information about stomach cancer, please visit our Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/stomach. Also, the NCI Cancer Information Service can answer your questions about stomach cancer. We can also send you NCI booklets and fact sheets. Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or instant message us through the LiveHelp ¹ service at http://www.cancer.gov/help.

*Words in italics are in the Dictionary ². The Dictionary explains these terms. It also shows how to pronounce them.

Glossary Terms

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.