Stomach Cancer Overview

Stomach cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. In 2026, approximately 30,300 Americans will be diagnosed with stomach cancer, and nearly 11,000 will lose their lives to the disease. The overall five‑year relative survival rate is about 36%, dropping to just 7% for stage IV, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and research. Stomach cancer also disproportionately affects minority populations, with Native American, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic communities experiencing significantly higher mortality rates compared to White populations. While the incidence of stomach cancer has been dropping steadily in the United States since World War II, it remains a major global health problem. Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Chile, and several countries of the former Soviet Union continue to have very high incidence rates, influenced in part by diets rich in heavily smoked, salted, and pickled foods.

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Survival Rates

Survival rates for stomach cancer are based on the stage at diagnosis and show the percentage of people who are alive five years after their cancer is found. These numbers are meant to be general guidelines, not predictions for any one person. They reflect relative survival, which compares people with stomach cancer to people of the same age in the general population.

Every patient is different, and many factors affect outcomes, including age, overall health, and how the cancer responds to treatment. Your doctor can help you understand how these statistics relate to your situation, though they may not be able to predict life expectancy. The survival rates below come from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Program.

For more information see the National Cancer Institute website at
http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html