Stomach cancer produces more than one million new cases worldwide each year. Incidence reaches 18 cases per 100,000 men compared with 8.8 per 100,000 women. Five year survival stands at 75 percent for localized disease but falls to 7 percent once distant metastases appear.
Key Takeaways
- Early satiety occurs in 60-80% of advanced stomach cancer patients at diagnosis
- In 2020, stomach cancer was the fifth most common malignancy worldwide, with 1,089,103 new cases reported globally according to GLOBOCAN estimates
- 5-year OS after curative resection: stage I 70-90%, stage II 40-60%, stage III 20-30%
- Helicobacter pylori infection increases stomach cancer risk by 5.6-fold (95% CI 3.7-8.6) in meta-analysis of 12 studies
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FLOT regimen) improves R0 resection rate to 85% from 65% surgery alone in locally advanced
Stomach cancer remains deadly worldwide, making early detection and prevention essential for improving outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Clinical Presentation29 stats
01
Early satiety occurs in 60-80% of advanced stomach cancer patients at diagnosis
02
Unintentional weight loss >10% body weight in 3 months seen in 60% of symptomatic cases
03
Epigastric pain or discomfort reported by 50-70% of patients prior to diagnosis
04
Iron deficiency anemia (microcytic) present in 40-60% due to chronic blood loss
05
Dysphagia more common in cardia tumors (30-50% of proximal cases)
06
Nausea and vomiting occur in 40% of patients, often with gastric outlet obstruction
07
Melena or hematemesis in 20-30% at presentation from ulcerated lesions
08
Palpable epigastric mass in <10% of cases, usually advanced disease
09
Ascites from peritoneal carcinomatosis in 10-20% of stage IV patients
10
Paraneoplastic syndromes like acanthosis nigricans in 1-2% of cases
11
Upper GI endoscopy detects 95% of stomach cancers, gold standard for diagnosis
12
Biopsy confirmation rate >95% on first endoscopy in suspicious lesions
13
Serum pepsinogen I/II ratio <3 indicates atrophic gastritis, 80% sensitivity for high-risk precursors
14
Fecal occult blood test positive in 70-80% of symptomatic cancers
15
Virchow's node (left supraclavicular) palpable in 5-10% of metastatic cases
16
Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (umbilical) in 1-5% of peritoneal spread cases
17
Dyspepsia refractory to PPI in >45 years prompts endoscopy, 2-5% yield for cancer
18
CT scan shows wall thickening >1cm in 85% of advanced tumors
19
Barium meal sensitivity 50-70% for linitis plastica subtype
20
HER2 overexpression in 10-20% of gastric adenocarcinomas, tested by IHC/FISH
21
PD-L1 expression ≥1% in 40-50% of tumors, prognostic biomarker
22
Lauren diffuse type presents earlier with 80% stage III/IV vs. 60% intestinal
23
Signet-ring cell histology in 15-20% globally, worse prognosis
24
EUS staging accuracy 70-90% for T stage, 50-70% for N stage
25
PET-CT detects metastases with 80% sensitivity in stage IV
26
Diagnostic delay >3 months in 40% of symptomatic patients in low-resource settings
27
Abdominal bloating post-meals in 30-50% pre-diagnosis
28
Jaundice from lymph node obstruction rare, <5%
29
70% of patients have stage III/IV at diagnosis globally
Interpretation
Clinical Presentation Interpretation
The unsettling menu of stomach cancer—where early fullness, unexplained weight loss, and nagging pain are the unignorable opening acts for a disease that, in 70% of patients, has already taken a devastating final bow by the time the curtain is raised at diagnosis.
02 · Category
Epidemiology30 stats
01
In 2020, stomach cancer was the fifth most common malignancy worldwide, with 1,089,103 new cases reported globally according to GLOBOCAN estimates
02
The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) for stomach cancer in men worldwide was 18.0 per 100,000 in 2020, significantly higher than in women at 8.8 per 100,000
03
Eastern Asia had the highest ASIR for stomach cancer at 32.5 per 100,000 in men in 2020, accounting for over 50% of global cases despite comprising only 22% of the world population
04
In the United States, there were 26,380 new cases of stomach cancer estimated for 2023, with 10,990 deaths projected
05
The lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer is about 0.8% (1 in 125) for American men and 0.4% (1 in 256) for women
06
SEER data from 2017-2021 shows the incidence rate of stomach cancer in the US at 6.8 per 100,000 for all races and both sexes combined
07
Among US racial/ethnic groups, non-Hispanic Black individuals have the highest stomach cancer incidence rate at 8.2 per 100,000 (2017-2021)
08
Stomach cancer incidence in the US has been declining by about 1.5% per year from 2012-2021
09
In Japan, the ASIR for stomach cancer was 27.5 per 100,000 in men in 2020, reflecting high historical rates due to screening programs
10
Mongolia reports the world's highest ASIR for stomach cancer at 33.1 per 100,000 overall in 2020
11
Globally, stomach cancer ranks fourth in cancer mortality with 769,000 deaths in 2020
12
In Europe, the ASIR for stomach cancer decreased from 20.5 per 100,000 in men in 1990 to 12.6 in 2020
13
US males aged 65-74 have the highest stomach cancer incidence rate at 25.3 per 100,000 (2017-2021 SEER data)
14
Stomach cancer accounts for 1.5% of all new cancer cases in the US (2023 estimate)
15
In South Korea, nationwide screening has reduced stomach cancer mortality by 40% since 2000, with ASIR at 19.7 per 100,000 in men in 2020
16
Global prevalence of stomach cancer (5-year) was estimated at 1.25 million cases in 2020
17
In China, 478,508 new stomach cancer cases were reported in 2020, representing 44% of global cases
18
Stomach cancer incidence among US Hispanics is 11.7 per 100,000 (2017-2021), higher than non-Hispanic whites at 5.4
19
The median age at stomach cancer diagnosis in the US is 68 years (SEER 2017-2021)
20
In high-risk areas like the Japanese Prefecture of Niigata, ASIR was 50.5 per 100,000 in men pre-screening era, now reduced
21
Worldwide, 80-90% of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, with diffuse and intestinal subtypes varying by region
22
In the UK, stomach cancer incidence has fallen by 70% since the 1970s, with 9,325 cases in 2019
23
Australian stomach cancer ASIR is 5.2 per 100,000 in men (2020), low due to diet and H. pylori eradication
24
In Brazil, Northeast region has ASIR of 15.8 per 100,000 for stomach cancer, linked to socioeconomic factors
25
Global DALYs lost to stomach cancer in 2019 were 11.1 million, primarily in Eastern Asia
26
US Native American/Alaska Native population has stomach cancer incidence of 13.1 per 100,000 (2017-2021)
27
Stomach cancer is more common in lower socioeconomic groups, with 2-fold higher incidence in deprived UK areas
28
In 2022, EU-27 countries reported 66,662 new stomach cancer cases
29
Incidence of cardia subtype increasing in Western countries by 2-4% annually, while non-cardia declining
30
In India, ASIR for stomach cancer is 3.6 per 100,000 overall, but rising in urban areas
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
Despite its global decline, stomach cancer remains a stealthy threat, stubbornly prevalent in Eastern Asia and disproportionately lethal to men, the elderly, and marginalized communities worldwide, proving geography and circumstance are still bitter ingredients in this disease.
03 · Category
Prognosis24 stats
01
5-year OS after curative resection: stage I 70-90%, stage II 40-60%, stage III 20-30%
02
Localized stomach cancer 5-year relative survival 75% (US SEER 2013-2019)
03
Regional spread survival drops to 36%, distant metastasis 7%
04
Overall 5-year survival 36.3% in US (improved from 22% in 1975)
05
Stage IA complete response to ESD 98%, 5-year survival >95%
06
MSI-H tumors have 5-year OS 70% vs. 45% MSS in stage II/III adjuvant
07
Peritoneal metastasis median survival 6-12 months despite treatment
08
Signet-ring cell carcinoma 5-year survival 25% vs. 45% adenocarcinoma
09
Lymphovascular invasion halves 5-year survival (HR 2.1)
10
Negative margins (R0) vs. R1: 5-year OS 55% vs. 30%
11
HER2+ tumors without trastuzumab OS 12 months median advanced
12
Lauren intestinal type better prognosis than diffuse (HR 0.75)
13
Postoperative complications increase mortality risk 2-fold (HR 1.9)
14
Elderly (>75) 5-year survival 20% vs. 45% <65 after resection
15
N3 nodal involvement 5-year OS <20%
16
EBV-associated gastric cancer better prognosis (HR 0.72 for survival)
17
Median OS refractory disease 4 months historical, improved to 8-11 with immunotherapy
18
T4 tumors 5-year survival 25% vs. 60% T1-2
19
Adjuvant therapy benefit largest in node-positive (absolute 10-15%)
20
Global median survival advanced unresectable 10 months with chemo
21
pTNM stage prognostic accuracy 75-80%
22
High tumor mutational burden (>10 mut/Mb) predicts immunotherapy response, OS doubled
23
Male sex worse prognosis (HR 1.2)
24
Cardia location survival similar to esophageal (worse than body)
Interpretation
Prognosis Interpretation
The brutal, stage-by-stage reality of stomach cancer survival—where a single millimeter of margin, a positive node, or a rare molecular subtype can swing your odds from a coin flip to a death sentence—reminds us that in this war, the battleground is microscopic, but the stakes could not be more vast.
More related reading
04 · Category
Risk Factors27 stats
01
Helicobacter pylori infection increases stomach cancer risk by 5.6-fold (95% CI 3.7-8.6) in meta-analysis of 12 studies
02
Chronic H. pylori infection is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC, responsible for 89% of non-cardia stomach cancers
03
Smoking doubles the risk of stomach cancer (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.46-2.53) in never-smokers' adjusted meta-analysis
04
High salt intake (>5g/day) associated with 12% increased risk per 1g increment (meta-analysis of 37 studies)
05
Obesity (BMI ≥30) increases cardia stomach cancer risk by 82% in men (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.20-2.77)
06
Family history of stomach cancer raises risk 2-3 fold, with first-degree relatives having OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.20-3.41)
07
Pernicious anemia increases stomach cancer risk 3.5-fold (SIR 3.57, 95% CI 2.68-4.63) in Swedish cohort
08
Processed meat consumption linked to 18% higher risk per 50g/day (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09-1.28), WHO/IARC evaluation
09
Alcohol intake >45g/day increases risk by 1.3-fold for non-cardia subtype (meta-analysis)
10
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated with 8.7-10% of gastric cancers, particularly lymphoepithelioma-like type
11
Atrophic gastritis from H. pylori leads to 0.5-1% annual risk of gastric cancer progression
12
Blood type A individuals have 20% higher risk (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10-1.31) vs. type O, meta-analysis
13
Low intake of fruits and vegetables (<300g/day) increases risk by 20-50%, dose-response meta-analysis
14
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) triples cardia cancer risk (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-6.0)
15
Ménétrier's disease carries 10-15% lifetime risk of adenocarcinoma development
16
Occupational exposure to coal dust and asbestos increases risk 1.5-2 fold in cohort studies
17
Diabetes mellitus associated with 20% increased risk (SRR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13-1.32), meta-analysis of 25 studies
18
H. pylori cagA-positive strains elevate risk 2.5-fold compared to cagA-negative (OR 2.58)
19
Pickled vegetable consumption common in high-risk areas, RR 1.5 per frequent serving
20
Radiation exposure (e.g., Hiroshima survivors) increases risk 2-6 fold depending on dose
21
Chronic NSAID use reduces stomach cancer risk by 32% (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.58-0.80)
22
Polymorphisms in IL-1β gene increase risk 2-3 fold in H. pylori infected individuals
23
Male gender doubles risk compared to females (RR 2.0), consistent across global studies
24
Age >60 years carries 10-fold higher incidence than <40 years
25
Smoked meat intake associated with OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.12-1.60) per weekly serving
26
Partial gastrectomy for benign disease increases cancer risk 3-5 fold after 15+ years
27
Vitamin C deficiency exacerbates H. pylori-induced risk, protective at >150mg/day intake
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
If you wanted to design a perfect storm for stomach cancer, you'd start with a chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, marinate it in salty processed foods, add a dash of smoking and family history, and then systematically avoid fruits, vegetables, and possibly aspirin.
05 · Category
Treatment26 stats
01
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FLOT regimen) improves R0 resection rate to 85% from 65% surgery alone in locally advanced
02
Perioperative ECF (epirubicin, cisplatin, 5-FU) increases 5-year survival to 36% vs. 23% surgery alone (MAGIC trial)
03
Trastuzumab added to chemotherapy doubles response rate to 47% in HER2+ advanced gastric cancer (ToGA trial)
04
Ramucirumab monotherapy PFS 2.3 months vs. 1.3 placebo in refractory disease (RAINBOW)
05
D2 lymphadenectomy standard, harvesting ≥15 nodes improves survival by 10-15%
06
Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in Asia yields 5-year OS 71.7% vs. 61% surgery (ACTS-GC)
07
Pembrolizumab ORR 60% (95% CI 49-70) in MSI-H/dMMR advanced gastric cancer (KEYNOTE-158)
08
Total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y in proximal tumors, 5-year survival 50-70% if stage I
09
HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemo) reduces peritoneal recurrence by 20% in select cases
10
Nivolumab + chemo improves OS to 13.8 months vs. 11.6 placebo arm (ATTRACTION-4 Japan)
11
CAPOX (capecitabine+oxaliplatin) non-inferior to FOLFOX, used in 60% adjuvant regimens
12
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) curative in 90-95% T1a intramucosal cancers <2cm
13
Radiation dose 45 Gy with concurrent chemo for unresectable, local control 50-60%
14
Regorafenib OS 5.8 vs. 4.5 months placebo in refractory (INTEGRATE)
15
Gastrectomy morbidity 20-40%, mortality <5% in high-volume centers (>20/year)
16
Irinotecan-based second-line therapy PFS 4 months median
17
CLARITY trial: FLOT superior to ECX, pCR 16% vs. 7%
18
Proton therapy reduces cardiac dose by 50% vs. IMRT in gastric RT
19
Zolbetuximab + chemo ORR 37% in CLDN18.2+ (SPOTLIGHT trial)
20
Palliative stent for GOO relieves symptoms in 80-90% within 24h
21
Adjuvant CAPOX OS benefit 7% absolute at 3 years (CLASSIC trial Korea)
22
5-FU/leucovorin + cisplatin response 41% in metastatic (meta-analysis)
23
Robotic gastrectomy reduces blood loss 200ml vs. laparoscopic, equivalent oncologic outcomes
24
Avelumab maintenance OS 14.4 vs. 11.1 months post-FLX (JAVELIN)
25
H. pylori eradication post-resection reduces metachronous cancer by 50% (MALT trial)
26
FOLFIRI second-line OS 6.9 months (meta-analysis 10 trials)
Interpretation
Treatment Interpretation
Each of these statistics is a hard-won battle in a long war, proving that while stomach cancer remains formidable, we are systematically outflanking it with better knives, smarter drugs, and a clearer map of the terrain.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Stomach Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/stomach-cancer-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Stomach Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/stomach-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Stomach Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/stomach-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
10 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level