Sloan-Kettering - Gastric (Stomach) Cancer

Stomach, or gastric, cancer usually begins in the tissues that line the stomach. Although stomach cancer is much less common in the United States now than it has been in the past, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 21,260 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in the country this year.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering is one of the few National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers with a specific program in treating cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach.

In this section, you can find information about our expertise in treating patients with cancers of the stomach, our services, and our research.

Our Approach & Expertise
At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a multidisciplinary team of doctors determines the most appropriate treatment for each patient with stomach cancer.
Our Team of Experts
Information about Memorial Sloan-Kettering's stomach cancer specialists, their education, training, board certifications, current publications, and specific areas of clinical expertise.
Overview
The stomach is a J-shaped organ in the upper abdomen where digestion begins before food is passed to your intestines.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, a diet high in smoked and salted foods, and high consumption of red meat are among the risk factors for stomach cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of stomach cancer may include pain or discomfort in stomach region, a bloated feeling after eating, nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, and heartburn. These symptoms may also result from more less serious illnesses.
Diagnosis & Staging
A diagnosis of stomach cancer is generally made following physical exam, blood tests, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy (a procedure that uses a thin, tube-like instrument to examine the inside of the body), or a combination of these techniques.
Treatment
Recent investigations suggest that a combined approach of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may improve the survival of patients with stomach cancer.
Our Clinical Trials
A continually updated listing of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's current clinical trials for stomach cancer.
Survivorship & Support
If you have had surgery for stomach cancer, your doctor may recommend that you eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than fewer large meals.