What is Gastric (Stomach) Cancer?

What is gastric (stomach) cancer?

Cancer that starts anywhere in the stomach is called gastric (stomach) cancer.

What is stomach?

The stomach is located in the upper abdomen and lies just below the lungs. It is a muscular bag and  has three main parts:
(i) Cardia:  Upper portion which connects the stomach with esophagus or food pipe.
(ii) Fundus/ Corpus: Middle part or body of the stomach, and
(iii) Antrum and Pylorus:  The lower part of stomach.

Food that is swallowed is pushed through the esophagus into the stomach.  The stomach mixes and breaks down the food by releasing gastric juices and digests the food so that our body can absorb it.  Then the food moves into the small intestine for further digestion.  Gastric juices are secreted by the glands in the wall of the stomach.  They are acidic in nature.