Gastric cancer, commonly known as stomach cancer, is a complex disease that manifests in various forms. It is more than just a medical term—it is a condition that demands awareness and understanding. Knowing the different types of gastric cancer and their unique characteristics can empower patients, caregivers, and those at risk to take proactive steps.

By recognising early warning signs and exploring available treatments, individuals can improve outcomes and navigate this challenging diagnosis with confidence. We speak with Dr Sajjan Rajpurohit, Senior Director, Medical Oncology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, to get a detailed breakdown of the primary types and what you should know about each.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of gastric cancer that arises from the glandular cells of the lining of the stomach, which produce mucus and digestive fluids.

What You Should Know:

This type accounts for 90-95% of stomach cancers and is strongly associated with chronic inflammation from H. pylori infection, smoking, and diets rich in salted or smoked foods. Patients with this type often present with nonspecific symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, weight loss, and early satiety, which can delay diagnosis. High-risk individuals should be screened periodically to optimise the outcomes of early treatment.

Stomach lymphoma is an unusual type of cancer that has its origin in the stomach's lymphatic tissue. Among the subtypes, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is the most common one.

What You Should Know:

The type of cancer is strongly associated with H. pylori infection that causes persistent inflammation in the stomach lining. Symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling, fatigue, and weight loss. The early diagnosis of the disease is really important since some types can be treated well with antibiotics that target H. pylori, potentially eradicating the need for aggressive therapies.

GIST is a rare tumour that arises in the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are responsible for controlling the movement of food through the digestive tract.

What You Should Know:

GISTs are often caused by mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes. Gastrointestinal bleeding, anaemia, and abdominal pain can also be signs, though most occur as incidental findings. Targeted therapies, including imatinib (Gleevec), are used to halt tumour growth, and surgery may be needed for larger tumours. Early diagnosis is the best approach to the effective management of these tumours.

Carcinoid tumours, also called neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), come from hormone-producing cells in the stomach lining and tend to grow slowly.

What You Should Know:

These tumours are often associated with conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Symptoms may be mostly confined to abdominal pain, flushing, and diarrhoea, and also potentially without symptoms at all. Surgery may be effective for localised forms; extended cases may require hormone therapy or targeted treatments. Regular monitoring is necessary to manage their progression.

Dr. Rajpurohit says that each cancer has its distinct symptoms and risk factors, the early identification of which could significantly influence the treatment. "Early detection not only improves survival rates but also allows for less invasive treatment options, reducing the physical and emotional toll on patients," he says.

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