Stomach cancer happens when the replications of the cells overlying the stomach wall become uncontrolled or autonomous. It is the second highest cause of death from cancer in the world. In Malaysia it is the sixth commonest cancer among men and the tenth commonest cancer among women.

Incidence of stomach cancer is high in Japan as the population takes a lot of pickled and smoked food. There has been a decline in the incidence in Japan as there is better ways of storing the food with the availability of refrigerator thus less dependent on pickled and smoked food.

Majority of patients with stomach cancer are among those 65 years and above and it is more common among men than women.

Stomach cancer has a very high chance of cure rate if it is detected and treated early. Unfortunately patients commonly present late due to its subtle symptoms. It will be difficult to treat stomach cancer once it has metastasized to other organs.

Updated:: 05/11/2021 []