The stomach is a muscular, pouch-like organ that receives food from the esophagus and begins breaking it down with acid and enzymes. Its inner lining can be affected by infection, inflammation, and other changes. When tissue is removed from the stomach, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the stomach. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Some conditions are cancerous, some are precancerous (not cancer, but a change that can increase the risk of cancer over time), and many are not cancer at all. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancers of the stomach
These diagnoses are tumors of the stomach that are cancerous or have the potential to behave like cancer. They range widely in how quickly they grow and how likely they are to spread. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. It develops from the gland-forming cells of the stomach lining. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report says adenocarcinoma of the stomach, or mentions an intestinal type or diffuse type of stomach cancer.
Well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor
A well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor is a slow-growing tumor that develops from hormone-producing cells in the stomach. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor or a carcinoid tumor of the stomach.
Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma
Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma is a fast-growing cancer that develops from hormone-producing cells in the stomach. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or GIST, is a tumor that develops in the wall of the stomach. GISTs range from low risk to cancerous, depending on their size and other features. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a gastrointestinal stromal tumor or GIST.
SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor
An SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a type of GIST defined by the loss of a protein called SDH. It is more common in younger people. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an SDH-deficient GIST or loss of SDHB.
Precancerous changes in the stomach
These diagnoses describe changes in the lining of the stomach that are not cancer but can increase the risk that cancer develops over time. They are usually monitored or removed to lower that risk. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
Gastric dysplasia means the cells lining the stomach look abnormal under the microscope but are not cancer. It is a precancerous change. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions gastric dysplasia, or low grade or high grade dysplasia of the stomach.
An intestinal type adenoma is a precancerous polyp of the stomach made of cells that resemble those of the intestine. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an intestinal type adenoma of the stomach.
A foveolar type adenoma is a precancerous polyp of the stomach made of cells that resemble the normal surface lining. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a foveolar type adenoma of the stomach.
Noncancerous polyps in the stomach
A polyp is a growth that rises above the surrounding lining. The polyps described here are not cancer and do not usually develop into cancer. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A hyperplastic polyp is a common, noncancerous growth in the lining of the stomach. It often forms in response to long-lasting inflammation. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a hyperplastic polyp of the stomach.
An inflammatory polyp is a noncancerous growth in the lining of the stomach that forms as a reaction to inflammation. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an inflammatory polyp of the stomach.
Gastritis and gastropathy
Gastritis means inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastropathy means irritation or damage to the lining with little inflammation. These diagnoses are not cancer. The articles explain what each diagnosis means and what a pathologist looks for.
Helicobacter gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions Helicobacter gastritis or H. pylori infection.
Chronic active gastritis is long-lasting inflammation of the stomach lining. It is most often caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chronic active gastritis.
Atrophic gastritis is long-lasting inflammation that leads to the loss of the normal glands in the stomach lining. This article explains what this diagnosis means and why it is followed over time.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions atrophic gastritis, including the autoimmune type.
Erosive gastritis is inflammation severe enough to wear away part of the stomach lining. This article explains what this diagnosis means and what a pathologist looks for.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions erosive gastritis.
Chemical gastropathy is irritation of the stomach lining caused by substances such as bile, alcohol, or anti-inflammatory medications. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chemical gastropathy or reactive gastropathy.
Reactive gastropathy is irritation and injury of the stomach lining caused by substances such as bile, alcohol, or anti-inflammatory medications. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions reactive gastropathy or chemical gastropathy.
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