Stomachs Removed to Avoid Deadly Gastric Cancer

[KSTP TV, November 02, 2012] Seven people in one Minnesota family have made the risky decision to have their entire stomachs removed after learning they have a rare genetic condition that causes potentially deadly stomach cancer.

Now terminally ill, Tom Torborg of Plymouth discovered he suffered from hereditary diffused gastric cancer. He spread the word to relatives. Seven discovered they too suffered the condition. According to Shari Baldinger, genetic counselor with the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Allina Health, the condition makes patients 80% more likely to develop stomach cancer. Baldinger explains that patients should "consider having the stomach removed because it can be life saving."