How Long Can You Live If a Stomach Ulcer Becomes Cancerous?

When a stomach ulcer becomes cancerous, it typically starts with atypical cellular growth on the base of the existing ulcer. The impact on life expectancy largely depends on how deeply the cancer has penetrated the stomach lining. If the cancer remains within the mucosal layer or the muscularis mucosa, it is classified as carcinoma in situ. In such cases, endoscopic removal is often sufficient and does not significantly affect overall life expectancy.

However, if the cancer progresses to invade deeper layers such as the submucosa or the muscularis propria, especially when accompanied by lymph node metastasis, the prognosis changes dramatically. Patients diagnosed at this stage may have an average survival time ranging from 3 to 12 months, depending on the treatment response and overall health condition. When distant metastases occur, particularly in the liver or multiple abdominal lymph nodes, life expectancy can drop to between one and three months.

In summary, the survival rate for individuals whose ulcers undergo malignant transformation depends heavily on the depth of invasion and whether the cancer has spread to other organs or lymph nodes. Early detection and timely intervention are crucial in improving outcomes. Each case must be evaluated individually to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy and expected prognosis.