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Stomach cancer and Oesophageal cancer

Stomach cancer

Most stomach cancers develop in cells that line the mucosa. These are called adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Other types of stomach cancer are:

• lymphoma: cancer of lymphatic tissue
• gastric stromal tumours: cancer of muscle or connective tissue cancer
• carcinoid tumours: cancer of hormone-producing cells.

Stomach cancer grows slowly. It may grow for many years before any symptoms are felt.

Stomach cancer can grow through the wall of the stomach and into nearby organs, such as the liver, pancreas or colon.

It can also spread via the lymphatic system into local lymph glands or nodes. If the cancer cells get into the bloodstream, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs and bones. Cells can also leak into the space around the bowel and other abdominal organs and this may cause swelling in the abdomen.

Oesophageal cancer

There are 2 main types of oesophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in squamous cells that line the middle and upper part of the oesophagus; and adenocarcinoma, which begins in glandular tissue in the lower part of the oesophagus.

Oesophageal cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes and then to other parts of the body if it's not found and treated early.

MORE INFORMATION from CCV