At Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, our top-ranked cancer care specialists work together to provide patients with the highest standards of care for stomach (gastric) cancer. Our experienced center provides each patient with cutting-edge treatments and personalized, compassionate care.
Our board-certified surgeons offer highly effective treatments for patients with stomach cancer. Through the latest minimally invasive surgery techniques, including robotic-assisted surgeries, we offer greater surgical precision, faster recoveries and better outcomes for patients. As researchers, our physicians are actively engaged in clinical studies to develop innovative diagnostic and treatment approaches that improve patient outcomes and save lives.
Our surgeons, oncologists and support staff communicate with patients and families every step of the way. From diagnosis to treatment and through recovery, our team partners with specialists and referring physicians to ensure our patients receive coordinated care. Our team will take care of all the details so our patients can focus on healing.
What Is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that starts growing in the cells of the stomach lining. The stomach is a sac-shaped organ that is part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and helps digest food.
Stomach cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages because many patients have no symptoms early in the disease. This can make it difficult to cure. However, through recent advancements in treatments and surgical techniques, the prognosis for stomach cancer has dramatically improved over the past few decades.
There are a few different types of stomach cancer. Each type grows in different parts of the stomach, and their cells look different.
Adenocarcinoma
The most common type of stomach cancer is called adenocarcinoma. It forms in the inner layer of the stomach and spreads through the stomach wall, forming a tumor as it grows. Given that the most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, the information on this webpage is based on this type of cancer.
Lymphoma
This is a much less common type of stomach cancer that starts in the tissue of the immune system. These cancers usually start in the lymph nodes, but in rare cases can start in other parts of the body, such as the stomach. Learn more about lymphoma.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
This type of rare cancer starts in special cells found in the wall of the GI tract called the interstitial cells of Cajal. Although GISTs most often start in the stomach, they can start anywhere along the GI tract. Learn more about GISTs.
Carcinoid Tumor (Neuroendocrine Tumor)
These rare, slow-growing tumors start in the neuroendocrine cells, which are found in the lining of the GI tract and other parts of the body. Learn more about carcinoid tumors.
