Gastric cancer
Overview
Gastric cancer, also called stomach cancer, begins in the cells lining the stomach. It’s one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide, though it’s relatively rare in the United States.1
Types
Nearly all stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which fall into two main types: intestinal and diffuse. The diffuse type tends to behave more aggressively and carries a worse prognosis than the intestinal type.2
Causes and Risk Factors
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the strongest known risk factors, along with a diet high in salted or smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables. Smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease, a history of stomach ulcers, and a family history of the disease also raise risk.3
Symptoms
Early stomach cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, common signs include unexplained weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing. Advanced cases can cause fatigue, vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools.2
Treatment
Surgical removal of the tumor remains the only treatment proven to be curative when caught early. Radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are also used, often in combination, depending on the stage of disease.1
Why Visual Communication Matters for Gastric Cancer
Because early stomach cancer produces few or no symptoms, illustrating how the disease develops silently within the stomach lining, and why H pylori infection matters so much as a risk factor, helps patients and clinical teams understand a disease that’s often diagnosed late.
How We Support Gastric Cancer Communication
We help with:
- Illustrations explaining stomach anatomy and tumor development
- Visuals showing the role of H pylori infection and other risk factors
- Patient education content on diagnosis and treatment options
- Sales and training materials for oncology and pharmaceutical companies
Have a Project in Mind?
Whether you’re explaining tumor development, developing patient education materials, or presenting clinical research, we create visuals that make complex science easier to understand.
Contact us at info@biotic-artlab.com or reach out through our contact page to discuss your next gastric cancer communication project.
References
- What Is Stomach Cancer? National Cancer Institute. Available here.
- Stomach cancer, Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Available here.
- Stomach Cancer Causes and Risk Factors. National Cancer Institute. Available here.