Types of stomach cancer

Knowing the type of stomach cancer you have helps your cancer doctor plan your treatment.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. More than 9 in 10 stomach cancers (95%) are adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells of the stomach lining. Our information about stomach cancer is about adenocarcinoma.

Less common cancers that can start in the stomach include:

• soft tissue sarcomas, including gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)
• lymphomas, such as mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas
• carcinoid tumours (also known as NETs).

The tests and treatments for these types of stomach cancer are different from the ones for adenocarcinoma.