What is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer begins when cells in the stomach grow out of control and form tumors, which may be benign or malignant. It is now rare in America due to the advent of refrigeration which allows for safe long-term food storage. In the past, food was easily contaminated or had to be preserved with much salt, increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer.
There are different types of stomach cancer, but 90% of all diagnosed cases are adenocarcinomas. These start in the innermost layer of the stomach called the mucosa.
Adenocarcinoma of the stomach may be intestinal, which is more common but easy to treat, or diffuse, which is rare but tends to grow faster.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2024, about 26,000 cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed, resulting in around 10,000 deaths. For the last 10 years, stomach cancer rates have dropped by 1.5% annually. There is only a 1 in 101 chance of getting this disease for men and 1 in 155 for women. The average age for diagnosis is 68.
Stomach cancer can cause the following symptoms:
- Appetite loss
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Vague, lingering abdominal discomfort
- Feeling full after eating only a small meal
- Heartburns and indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Blood in the stool
- Lethargy or anemia
- Jaundice (if cancer spreads to the liver)
While there is no standard screening process for stomach cancer, there are tests available such as endoscopies, biopsies, and imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans. Testing should be done regularly for people with an increased risk of stomach cancer such as those with the following inherited syndromes:
- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC)
- Lynch syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Gastric adenoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS)
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
Stomach cancer is primarily treated with surgery. But other options like chemotherapy, targeted drugs therapy, and immunotherapy are also available if a patient’s health does not permit surgery. Early detection is important because more advanced stomach cancers will require intense treatments which can lead to more side effects.
The ACS uses the SEER database to estimate the 5-year relative survival rates for stomach cancer. They are classified as localized, regional, or distant. At the localized stage, where cancer has not spread outside the stomach, there is a 75% survival rate. If cancer spreads to nearby structures and lymph nodes and reaches the regional stage, the survival rate drops to 35%. At the distant stage, when stomach cancer spreads to other organs, the survival rate is a mere 7%.
Early detection is important because survival rates have a steep drop when cancer spreads outside of the stomach (see also: Can I Sue For Late Peritoneal Cancer Diagnosis?). Famous country singer Toby Keith passed away from stomach cancer in 2022, prompting a renewed call by experts to not ignore seemingly innocuous symptoms, and seek immediate medical care for persistent stomach problems.
What Can I Do if I was Misdiagnosed or Diagnosed Late with Stomach Cancer in New York?
Seek a medical malpractice attorney for legal advice if you’ve been misdiagnosed or diagnosed late by your doctor. Stomach cancer is often referred to as a ‘forgotten disease’. Cases and death rates have been declining because of advancements in refrigeration technology and medicine. So there are state-of-the-art tests available to find this cancer early. If your doctor’s medical negligence caused a delay in your diagnosis, it may result in decreased survival chances and the need to undergo intense treatments such as a total gastrectomy, which completely removes the stomach.
If you or a loved one have been misdiagnosed or diagnosed late with stomach cancer in New York, call the Porter Law Group for a free case evaluation. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers and board-certified medical experts can evaluate your case, and see if you have been a victim of medical malpractice.
Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice if I was Diagnosed Late with Stomach Cancer in New York?
Patients may be eligible to sue medical staff if their stomach cancer is diagnosed late. However, not all cases of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis are considered medical malpractice. It is not enough to show you’ve been injured to receive financial compensation. You need to establish that there was a doctor-patient relationship, that the doctor deviated from the expected standard of care for patients with similar conditions. And that this deviation was the proximate cause of your injury. For this, you will need a medical expert to evaluate your records and test results and testify if your doctor’s negligence was the cause of your injury. You will also need experienced medical malpractice lawyers to bring your case forward.
Medical negligence cases are complex, especially in New York. You will need to navigate the numerous documentary and filing requirements and be aware of the statute of limitations within which to file your claim. The Porter Law Group has a proven track record of securing compensation for victims of medical malpractice in New York. And we work with experts in the medical field who can evaluate your case and testify on your behalf.
Our medical malpractice attorneys have secured millions of dollars* for cancer patients injured because of their doctor’s negligence. We have extensive experience in dealing with cases like these. Do not add to the burden of cancer treatment with the stress of dealing with medical institutions and insurance companies on your own. Call the Porter Law Group today for a free case evaluation. We will do our utmost to give you and your family the answers and financial compensation you deserve if you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice in the State of New York.
Contact us at 833-PORTER9, or e-mail us at info@porterlawteam.com to discuss the details of our experience representing other clients and the results we were able to obtain in the past for clients who also suffered from cancer. In many ways, our results speak for themselves, and we will stand ready to help you and your family in your time of greatest need.
