Types of Cancer » Gastric Cancer

gastric cancer (GAS-trik KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called stomach cancer.

gastric (GAS-trik) Having to do with the stomach.

gastrectomy (gas-TREK-tuh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.

gastric atrophy (GAS-trik AT-ro-fee) A condition in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak. The digestive (peptic) glands may also shrink, resulting in a lack of digestive juices.

gastric cancer (GAS-trik KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called stomach cancer.

gastric reflux The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). Also called esophageal reflux or gastroesophageal reflux.

gastrin (GAS-trin) A group of hormones released after eating that control the amount of acid in the stomach.

gastrinoma (gas-tri-NO-ma) A tumor that causes overproduction of gastric acid. It usually occurs in the islet cells of the pancreas but may also occur in the esophagus, stomach, spleen, or lymph nodes.

gastritis Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

gastroenterologist (GAS-tro-en-ter-AHL-o-jist) A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.

gastroesophageal junction The place where the esophagus is connected to the stomach.

gastroesophageal reflux (GAS-tro-ee-sof-uh-JEE-ul REE-flux) The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). Also called esophageal reflux or gastric reflux.

gastrointestinal (GAS-tro-in-TES-tih-nul) GI. Refers to the stomach and intestines.

gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul KAR-sih-noyd TOO-mer) An indolent (slow-growing) cancer that forms in cells that make hormones in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines). It usually occurs in the appendix (a small fingerlike pouch of the large intestine), small intestine, or rectum. Having gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor increases the risk of forming other cancers of the digestive system.

gastrointestinal stromal tumor GIST. A type of tumor that usually begins in cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be benign or malignant.

gastrointestinal tract (GAS-tro-in-TES-tih-nul) The stomach and intestines.

gastroscope (GAS-tro-skope) A thin, lighted tube used to view the inside of the stomach.

gastroscopy (gas-TRAHS-ko-pee) An examination of the inside of the stomach using a thin, lighted tube (called a gastroscope) passed through the mouth and esophagus.

stage 0 gastric cancer Cancer is found in the inside lining of the mucosal (innermost) layer of the stomach wall. Also called carcinoma in situ.

stage I gastric cancer Stage I is divided into stage IA and stage IB, depending on where the cancer has spread. In stage IA, cancer has spread completely through the mucosal (innermost) layer of the stomach wall. In stage IB, cancer has spread completely through the mucosal (innermost) layer of the stomach wall and is found in up to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor, or has spread to the muscularis (middle) layer of the stomach wall.

stage II gastric cancer Cancer has spread (1) completely through the mucosal (innermost) layer of the stomach wall and is found in 7 to 15 lymph nodes near the tumor, or (2) to the muscularis (middle) layer of the stomach wall and is found in up to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor, or (3) to the serosal (outermost) layer of the stomach wall but not to lymph nodes or other organs.

stage III gastric cancer Stage III is divided into stage IIIA and stage IIIB depending on where the cancer has spread. In stage IIIA, cancer has spread to (1) the muscularis (middle) layer of the stomach wall and is found in 7 to 15 lymph nodes near the tumor, or (2) the serosal (outermost) layer of the stomach wall and is found in 1 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor, or (3) to organs next to the stomach but not to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. In stage IIIB, cancer has spread to the serosal (outermost) layer of the stomach wall and is found in 7 to 15 lymph nodes near the tumor.

stage IV gastric cancer Cancer has spread (1) to organs next to the stomach and to at least one lymph node, or (2) to more than 15 lymph nodes, or (3) to other parts of the body.