About Gastric (Stomach) Cancer: Get the Facts

About the Stomach

The stomach is the organ that holds food and secretes gastric juice to begin the digestive process. People often refer to the area between the chest and pelvis as the stomach. In medical terms, this area actually is the abdomen, and the stomach is just one part of the abdomen.

What Is Gastric Cancer?

As you may have learned from the About Cancer page, cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide uncontrollably. When this process happens in the stomach, gastric cancer develops.

The stomach is divided into several sections and layers. Most gastric cancers occur in the deepest layer called the mucosa . When gastric cancer occurs in the mucosa, it is called adenocarcinoma . When gastric cancer has progressed (for instance, grown beyond the area where it started or spread to other organs), it is called advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

Other types of gastric cancer are very rare. So, if you have gastric cancer, more than likely it is adenocarcinoma. If you do have one of the less common gastric cancers, it may be called lymphoma , a gastrointestinal stromal tumor , or a carcinoid tumor .

Gastric cancers usually grow slowly over time. Typically precancerous changes happen in the stomach before cancer develops. However, you may not know you have these precancerous changes because they usually do not produce symptoms.

Sometimes gastric cancer can spread, or metastasize , outside of the stomach and into other body parts. If gastric cancer spreads, it may spread to the lymph nodes , liver, lungs or bones.

Gastric cancer should not be confused with cancers in other areas of the abdomen, such as the colon, liver, small intestine or pancreas. These cancers may produce different symptoms and require different treatments.

Gastric Cancer Statistics

According to the American Cancer Society:

Gastric cancer is not a common type of cancer in the United States; it is much more common in other parts of the world, particularly Japan.
It is estimated that in 2006, approximately 22,000 Americans will be diagnosed with gastric cancer.
Most people who have gastric cancer are older than age 65.
It is estimated that in 2006, approximately 11,000 people will die from gastric cancer.

For more information on Gastric Cancer visit:

Chemotherapy can be managed through education preparation. To be better equipped to help yourself and your family, visit the Helpful Resource section.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere®.

Before each Taxotere® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere® must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere®.

Before receiving Taxotere®, tell your doctor if

You have any allergies
You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere®, contact your doctor if

You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
You experience any other side effects

Please see adjacent page for patient information leaflet for detailed information about these side effects, and talk to your doctor about any questions you may have.

Taxotere Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and flouroucil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocercinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and neck Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and flourouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cercinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).