Nov 25, 2025
3 min read
My 39 year old brother was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer.The diagnosis was particularly shocking given his age.Is this becoming more common?Does age affect treatment approaches?
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My 39-year-old brother was just diagnosed with stomach cancer.The diagnosis was especially shocking because of his age.Is it becoming more common?Does age affect treatments?
Answer: Colon cancer, known as a disease of adults.However, it affects people under the age of 50, showing the same changes seen in other cancers.It is important to know that when this change in the beginning of colon cancer is not significant, colon cancer is stable.
A changing risk profile
Researchers are investigating the reasons for these trends, and several factors appear to be at play.
Diet is one of the most likely causes of early stage stomach cancer growth.Over the past several decades, the typical American diet has shifted dramatically toward highly processed foods.These foods can promote chronic inflammation and alter the gut microbiome, which is the ecosystem of microbes that live in your gut.The microbiome supports the health of the digestive system.Both inflammation and microbiome changes have been linked to an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer over time.Other possible mechanisms include damage and direct DNA damage.carcinogenesis due to harmful food additives as well as displacement of protective nutrients such as fibers, vitamins and antioxidants.
Traditional risk factors for stomach cancer also remain relevant.Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that can cause inflammation of the stomach lining or ulcers, is a major risk factor.Smoking, smoking, or frequent consumption of canned foods, obesity, and heavy alcohol consumption may also increase the risk.
Young people diagnosed with stomach cancer often lack these classic risk factors, making their diagnosis even more confusing.This difference has drawn much attention to lifestyle, dietary and environmental influences that may contribute to the disease.
The challenge of early detection of gastric cancer
Early detection of cancer is difficult, especially in young adults.The symptoms of this disease are complicated, do not feel, there is pain that is not and heart, heart symptoms, heart symptoms
Additional warning signs such as heavy, profuse or severe diarrhea occur when symptoms persist for additional weeks.A biopsy is the standard procedure for diagnosing stomach cancer.
Because early symptoms can be ignored, young patients are sometimes diagnosed at more advanced stages of the disease.
Approaches and innovations
Treatment of stomach cancer depends on the stage, location, and molecular characteristics of the tumor, not on the patient's age.
Surgery remains the mainstay of local disease treatmentIn recent years, surgical techniques have improved significantly with more minimally invasive and robotic approaches that can reduce recovery time and improve long-term quality of life.Along with these less invasive techniques, newer reconstructive procedures, such as J-pouch and duodenal reconstruction, help restore digestive function and reduce long-term complications after partial or total gastrectomy.These procedures improve nutrient absorption, reduce reflux, and help patients return to eating habits that are similar to those prior to diagnosis.
Obologists can also analyze the genes for biomarkers such as yemakey, and PD-L1 and microsatellite patterns to guide treatment decisions and especially in patients with controversial disease.Knowing these patterns helps determine whether targeted therapy or therapy may be appropriate.This method allows the treatment to be adjusted more effectively and efficiently.
For stomach cancer patients, a new treatment called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HYPAC) offers a promising option.In this procedure, after removing the visible tumors, chemotherapy is injected into the abdominal cavity to destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Because stomach cancer is relatively rare, outcomes are better when treatment is provided at multidisciplinary centers, such as the Mayo Clinic, which have extensive experience treating this disease.Collaboration between surgical, medical and radiation oncologists ensures that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan.
Reason for optimism
Stomach cancer is a serious disease, but with advances in early detection and treatment, outcomes are improving.Advances in surgery, precision medicine, and supportive care have enabled many people to live longer and with better quality of life after treatment.
It is imperative that anyone experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, especially those who do not respond to standard care, seek timely medical evaluation.Knowledge, early detection, and access to expert, coordinated care can make a big difference.
- Travis Grotz, MD, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota
The Mayo Clinic C&A is an educational resource and does not necessarily regulate health care.Email this question to mayoclinicq & ayo.edu.For more information, visit www.mayclininic.org.
