Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is a very rare type of stomach cancer. Most stomach cancers start from gland cells that line the stomach (called adenocarcinomas), but squamous cell carcinoma starts from a different type of cell — the flat, scale-like squamous cells. These cells are not normally found in the stomach lining, which makes this cancer especially unusual. It is sometimes called gastric squamous cell carcinoma or primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach. This cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and tends to grow and spread in ways similar to other stomach cancers. It may invade nearby tissues and spread to lymph nodes or other organs if not caught early. Because it is so rare, it is often not diagnosed until it has already reached an advanced stage. Common symptoms include stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy. Because so few cases have been reported worldwide, treatment decisions are largely based on what works for more common types of stomach cancer. The outlook depends heavily on how early the cancer is found and how far it has spread.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Persistent stomach pain or discomfortDifficulty swallowing food or liquidsUnintentional weight lossNausea and vomitingFeeling full very quickly after eating small amountsLoss of appetiteBloating after mealsFatigue and low energyDark or tarry stools (a sign of bleeding in the stomach)Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsVanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center — EARLY_PHASE1
Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
National University Hospital, Singapore — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
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 Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: A Value-Driven Study on Reducing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Dosing Frequency in Advanced Cancers
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach
New recruiting trial: A Study of SH009 Injection in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach
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 stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Is surgery possible in my case, and what would recovery look like?,Should my tumor be tested for specific markers that might make me eligible for targeted therapy or immunotherapy?,Are there any clinical trials I might qualify for, even if they are for stomach cancer in general?,What are the most likely side effects of the treatment plan, and how can we manage them?,How will treatment affect my ability to eat, and should I see a dietitian?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call you or go to the emergency room right away?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is a very rare type of stomach cancer. Most stomach cancers start from gland cells that line the stomach (called adenocarcinomas), but squamous cell carcinoma starts from a different type of cell — the flat, scale-like squamous cells. These cells are not normally found in the stomach lining, which makes this cancer especially unusual. It is sometimes called gastric squamous cell carcinoma or primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach. This cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and tends to grow and spread in ways similar to other stomach canc
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.