Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the name for a category of cancer. There are many different types of stomach cancer:
Adenocarcinoma: Carcinoma that occurs in the innermost lining of the stomach. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of gastric cancer, comprising more than 90% of all stomach cancers.
Lymphoma: Cancer of the immune system that accounts for 4% of all stomach cancer. It is broken up into primary and secondary lymphoma of the stomach.
Primary lymphoma involves the stomach and can eventually affect the lymph nodes, bone marrow and other parts of the body.
Secondary lymphoma initially involves other parts of the body, like circulating blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow and other organs. Secondarily, cancer spreads to the stomach.
There are types of lymphoma known as B-cell and T-cell. B-cell lymphoma is more common than T-cell lymphoma.
Soft-tissue sarcoma: A kind of cancer that can grow in the stomach’s connective tissue.
Neuroendocrine: Also known as carcinoid tumors, neuroendocrine cancer originates from cells in the intestine’s endocrine and nervous systems. Carcinoid tumors account for about 3% of all stomach cancers.
Type 1 and 2 ECL-cell carcinoids do not typically spread to other parts of the body and are asymptomatic. They are usually discovered during endoscopy for another health issue like acid reflux.
Type 3 ECL-cell carcinoids are more aggressive and secrete excessive hormones, which can cause carcinoid syndrome. This syndrome presents with flushing, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some cases may result in respiratory issues and valve issues.