Types of Stomach Cancer

There are several types of stomach cancers, including:

• Adenocarcinoma of the stomach - Between 90% and 95% of all stomach cancers are of this type. The cancer develops from the cells that form the mucosa, the innermost lining of the stomach.
• Lymphoma of the stomach - Accounts for 4% of stomach cancers. Cancerous cells form in the immune tissue (lymphatic tissue) that is sometimes found in the wall of the stomach. Lymphatic tissue drains away fluid and helps fight infection.
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) - rare tumors that form in the muscle or connective tissue of the stomach wall (interstitial cells of Canal). Some of these tumors may be benign (non-cancerous). GISTs can also be found in other parts of the digestive tract.
• Neuroendocrine tumors - the cancerous cells collect and form tumors in the hormone-making cells, usually in the digestive tract (including the stomach). This type of stomach cancer is rare; the most common is carcinoid tumor.

Other types of very rare cancer of the stomach include, squamous cell carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, and small cell carcinoma.