Overview
Gastric linitis plastica, sometimes called 'leather bottle stomach' or diffuse gastric cancer, is a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer. Unlike typical stomach cancers that form a lump or tumor in one area, this disease spreads widely through the walls of the stomach. The cancer cells infiltrate the stomach's muscle and connective tissue layers, causing the stomach wall to become thick, stiff, and rigid — much like a leather bottle. This makes the stomach unable to stretch and work normally. The disease is most often caused by a type of cancer cell called signet ring cells, which spread in a diffuse pattern rather than forming a clear mass. Because of this unusual growth pattern, it is often very hard to detect early. The stomach may look nearly normal on basic imaging, and biopsies can sometimes miss the cancer cells. Common symptoms include unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, feeling full very quickly after eating, persistent stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. By the time most people are diagnosed, the cancer has often already spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy, sometimes combined with surgery or targeted therapy, but outcomes remain very challenging. Research into better treatments is ongoing.
Key symptoms:
Unexplained and rapid weight lossFeeling full very quickly after eating only a small amountPersistent stomach pain or discomfortNausea and vomitingDifficulty swallowingLoss of appetiteBloating or a sense of pressure in the abdomenFatigue and low energyHeartburn or indigestion that does not go awayBlack or tarry stools (a sign of bleeding in the stomach)Swelling in the abdomenAnemia (low red blood cell count causing tiredness and paleness)
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventSun Yat-sen University — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableCimetidine
Short-term treatment of active benign gastric ulcer
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Gastric linitis plastica.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Gastric linitis plastica
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Plus Chemotherapy in Borrmann Type 4 and Large Type 3 Gastric Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gastric linitis plastica
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Has my cancer spread beyond the stomach, and what stage is it?,Should I be tested for a CDH1 gene mutation, and should my family members be tested too?,What treatment options are available for me, and what are the goals — cure or controlling the cancer?,Am I a candidate for surgery, and what would life look like after having my stomach removed?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What nutritional support is available, and do I need to see a dietitian?,What palliative care or support services do you recommend to help manage symptoms and quality of life?
Common questions about Gastric linitis plastica
What is Gastric linitis plastica?
Gastric linitis plastica, sometimes called 'leather bottle stomach' or diffuse gastric cancer, is a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer. Unlike typical stomach cancers that form a lump or tumor in one area, this disease spreads widely through the walls of the stomach. The cancer cells infiltrate the stomach's muscle and connective tissue layers, causing the stomach wall to become thick, stiff, and rigid — much like a leather bottle. This makes the stomach unable to stretch and work normally. The disease is most often caused by a type of cancer cell called signet ring cells, which sprea
At what age does Gastric linitis plastica typically begin?
Typical onset of Gastric linitis plastica is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Gastric linitis plastica?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Gastric linitis plastica on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Gastric linitis plastica?
2 specialists and care centers treating Gastric linitis plastica are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.