There are some early symptoms but they are usually mistaken for heartburn or indigestion. It is currently believed that between 60 and 80 percent of stomach cancers are caused by a microorganism that can live in the stomach. It has also been shown that more men are affected by stomach cancer than women by a ratio of three to one possibly due to Estrogen.

There are several types of stomach cancer although the most common type is adenocarcinoma and starts in the glandular cells of the stomach lining. Later symptoms of stomach cancer include loss of appetite, losing weight and blood in the stools; however it should be noted that most people with these symptoms will not have cancer. Although it is advisable to see a doctor if such symptoms do occur.

To diagnose whether or not a patient has stomach cancer an endoscopic test is carried out which involves sending a long thin tube with a camera down into the stomach it is used to take pictures of the stomach lining and take samples for a biopsy. A Barium meal may also be used, the patient drinks a white solution that is easier to see on an x-ray.

If the cancer is caught in time it is possible that the cancer can be removed however in most cases that will include removing part or all of the stomach. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be used to control the cancer itself.