Overview
Rare carcinoma of the stomach refers to a group of uncommon cancers that start in the lining or walls of the stomach. Unlike the more common types of stomach cancer (such as typical adenocarcinoma), these rare forms include subtypes like squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach, adenosquamous carcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the stomach, hepatoid adenocarcinoma, and other unusual tissue types. Because these cancers are so uncommon, they are often grouped together under the umbrella term 'rare gastric carcinoma' or 'rare stomach cancer.' These cancers affect the stomach, which is the organ responsible for breaking down food and passing it along to the intestines. When cancer grows in the stomach, it can interfere with digestion, cause pain, and spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes if not caught early. Symptoms often include persistent stomach pain or discomfort, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and feeling full very quickly after eating. Some people notice blood in their stool or vomit, which is a serious warning sign. Treatment depends on the specific subtype, how advanced the cancer is, and the patient's overall health. Options typically include surgery to remove part or all of the stomach, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and in some cases targeted therapies or immunotherapy. Because these rare subtypes behave differently from common stomach cancers, treatment can be more challenging, and patients are often encouraged to seek care at specialized cancer centers with experience in rare gastrointestinal tumors.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Persistent stomach pain or discomfortUnexplained weight lossFeeling full very quickly after eating small amountsNausea and vomitingDifficulty swallowingLoss of appetiteBloating after mealsBlood in vomit or black, tarry stoolsFatigue and low energyHeartburn or indigestion that does not go awaySwelling in the abdomen
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventNational Cancer Institute (NCI) — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Rare carcinoma of stomach.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Rare carcinoma of stomach at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
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 Rare carcinoma of stomach.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Rare carcinoma of stomach
Disease timeline:
New trial: Whole Exome Sequencing in Finding Causative Variants in Germline DNA Samples From Patients With Peri
Phase NA trial recruiting. Laboratory Biomarker Analysis
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.What specific subtype of rare stomach carcinoma do I have, and how does that affect my treatment options?,Has my tumor been tested for HER2, PD-L1, microsatellite instability, and other markers that might guide treatment?,Should I consider genetic testing to see if my cancer is linked to an inherited syndrome that could affect my family members?,Am I a candidate for surgery, and if so, what will my digestion and eating be like afterward?,Are there any clinical trials for my specific type of stomach cancer that I should consider?,What support services — such as nutrition counseling, mental health support, or palliative care — are available to me?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what is the plan if the cancer comes back or spreads?
Common questions about Rare carcinoma of stomach
What is Rare carcinoma of stomach?
Rare carcinoma of the stomach refers to a group of uncommon cancers that start in the lining or walls of the stomach. Unlike the more common types of stomach cancer (such as typical adenocarcinoma), these rare forms include subtypes like squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach, adenosquamous carcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the stomach, hepatoid adenocarcinoma, and other unusual tissue types. Because these cancers are so uncommon, they are often grouped together under the umbrella term 'rare gastric carcinoma' or 'rare stomach cancer.' These cancers affect the stomach, which is the organ res
How is Rare carcinoma of stomach inherited?
Rare carcinoma of stomach follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Rare carcinoma of stomach typically begin?
Typical onset of Rare carcinoma of stomach is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Rare carcinoma of stomach?
9 specialists and care centers treating Rare carcinoma of stomach are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.