What is the stomach?
The stomach is is in the upper abdomen. It is part of the gastrointestinal tract (the gut). It lies in the upper part of the abdomen, just below the ribs. When we eat, food passes down the oesophagus (gullet) into the stomach.
The stomach makes acid and some enzymes (chemicals) which help to digest food. The muscles in the wall of the stomach contract to mix up the food with the acid and enzymes.
Food then passes into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Here food mixes with more enzymes which come from the pancreas and lining of the gut. The enzymes digest (break down) the food.
Digested food is then absorbed into the body from the small intestine.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the cells in the body. The body is made up from millions of tiny cells. There are many different types of cell in the body, and there are many different types of cancer which arise from different types of cell. What all types of cancer have in common is that the cancer cells are abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
A malignant tumour is a 'lump' or 'growth' of tissue made up from cancer cells which continue to multiply. As they grow, malignant tumours invade into nearby tissues and organs which can cause damage.
Malignant tumours may also spread to other parts of the body. This happens if some cells break off from the first (primary) tumour and are carried in the bloodstream or lymph channels to other parts of the body. These small groups of cells may then multiply to form 'secondary' tumours (metastases) in one or more parts of the body. These secondary tumours may then grow, invade and damage nearby tissues, and spread again.
Some cancers are more serious than others, some are more easily treated than others (particularly if diagnosed at an early stage), some have a better outlook (prognosis) than others. So, cancer is not just one condition. In each case it is important to know exactly what type of cancer has developed, how large it has become, and whether it has spread. This will enable you to get reliable information on treatment options and outlook.
See separate leaflet called 'What are Cancer and Tumours' for further details about cancer in general.
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