Statistics for Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer begins when cells in the stomach grow out of control. This page explains how many people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year and what survival statistics look like.

For many people, one of the first questions after a stomach cancer diagnosis is, what is my prognosis? or, what are my chances of survival? It is important to remember that every person is different, and researchers are always studying new treatments. Statistics describe groups of people. They cannot predict what will happen for any one individual.

How common is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, particularly in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of Latin America. In the United States, it is less common than in many other countries, but it still affects a significant number of people each year. About 27,000 new cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, and about 11,000 people die from the disease each year.

Rates of stomach cancer have been declining in the United States and many other countries over the past several decades. This decline is largely due to reductions in H. pylori infection rates, improvements in food preservation that have reduced reliance on salting and pickling, and increased fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. However, cancers at the gastroesophageal junction, where the stomach meets the esophagus, have been increasing, likely related to rising rates of obesity and acid reflux.

Stomach cancer is about twice as common in men as in women. It is most often diagnosed in people over the age of 55, and the average age at diagnosis is in the mid-60s. It is more common in Hispanic Americans, Black Americans, and Asian Americans than in white Americans.

What is the survival rate for stomach cancer?

Researchers use a statistic called the relative survival rate to understand how long most people live after a specific cancer diagnosis. This number compares people with the disease to people of the same age and sex who do not have it.

The overall 5-year relative survival rate for stomach cancer in the United States is about 36 percent. Survival rates vary depending on how far the cancer has spread:

• Localized stomach cancer, meaning cancer that is confined to the stomach wall, has a 5-year relative survival rate of about 75 percent.

• Regional stomach cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes or adjacent organs, has a 5-year relative survival rate of about 35 percent.

• Distant stomach cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to faraway parts of the body such as the liver or lungs, has a 5-year relative survival rate of about 7 percent.

These numbers come from data collected over several years and may not reflect the most current treatments. Newer treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy, continue to improve outcomes for people with stomach cancer. The large difference in survival between early and advanced disease is one of the most important reasons why recognizing symptoms and seeking medical evaluation early matters. Always talk to your doctor about what these statistics mean for your specific situation.

Is stomach cancer curable?

When stomach cancer is found at an early stage and is confined to the stomach or nearby lymph nodes, curative treatment is possible. Surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with chemotherapy, can cure early-stage stomach cancer in many patients. In countries with active screening programs, a higher proportion of stomach cancers are found at early, curable stages. For people with advanced stomach cancer, the goal of treatment is most often to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and maintain quality of life for as long as possible. Researchers continue to develop new therapies that are improving outcomes at all stages.