Definition

A type of stomach cancer that begins in the mucous-producing cells in the inner lining of the cardia (the part of the stomach that is closest to the esophagus). Food and liquids pass through the cardia to enter the stomach from the esophagus. Risk factors associated with gastric cardia cancer include obesity, smoking tobacco, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most gastric cardia cancers are adenocarcinomas.