
The stomach is the organ located between the oesophagus and small intestine. It receives food from the oesophagus for digestion, and then passes it to the small intestine.
Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is an abnormal growth of tissue in the stomach. This abnormal growth of cells may form a tumour or ulcer (painful sore) within the stomach or spread through the wall of the stomach.
There are different types of stomach cancer, and tumours can develop in different parts of the stomach, but the most common type is adenocarcinoma, which forms in the cells of the stomach lining.
In Singapore, stomach or gastric cancer is the 7th most common cancer in men and the 9th most common cancer in women. On average, it is responsible for 300 deaths every year. In many cases, stomach cancer is asymptomatic in its early stages, causing many patients to present at a late or advanced stage.