What Is The Best Treatment For Stomach Cancer

Cancer May Spread From Where It Began To Other Parts Of The Body

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Treatment

When cancer spreads to another part of the body, it is called metastasis. Cancer cells break away from where they began and travel through the lymph system or blood.

Lymph system. The cancer gets into the lymph system, travels through the lymph vessels, and forms a tumor in another part of the body.
Blood. The cancer gets into the blood, travels through the blood vessels, and forms a tumor in another part of the body.

The metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if gastric cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually gastric cancer cells. The disease is metastatic gastric cancer, not liver cancer.

Treatment For Stomach Cancer

What Is Stage 4 Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is cancer that starts in the stomach. Its staged according to how far it has spread at the time of diagnosis.

In stage 4, stomach cancer has spread through tissue, the bloodstream, or lymph system to distant parts of the body. Cancer may be found in organs such as the liver, lungs, or distant lymph nodes.

Stage 4 is also called advanced stomach cancer.

Knowing the stage of stomach cancer helps determine treatment options. It also provides a general overview of what to expect.

Keep reading to learn more about stage 4 stomach cancer, how its treated, and the five-year survival rate.

What Happens If Youve Been Told Your Cancer Cannot Be Cured

If you have advanced stomach cancer, it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.

If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.

They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.

Living With Advanced Cancer

Stomach Cancer: How to Find the Best Treatment Team ...

Advanced cancer usually means cancer that is unlikely to be cured. Some people can live for many months or years with advanced cancer. During this time palliative care services can help.

Most people continue to have treatment for advanced cancer as part of palliative care, as it helps manage the cancer and improve their day-to-day lives. Many people think that palliative care is for people who are dying but palliative care is for any stage of advanced cancer. There are doctors, nurses and other people who specialise in palliative care.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or another type of treatment. It can help in these ways:

Slow down how fast the cancer is growing.
Shrink the cancer.
Help you to live more comfortably by managing symptoms, like pain.

Treatment depends on:

How far it has spread.
Your general health.

Surgery To Help Control The Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer

You may need surgery to relieve a blockage in the stomach. This helps food pass through your stomach more easily.

The aim of this surgery is to help improve your symptoms, not to cure the cancer.

Targeted cancer medicines aim to stop the cancer from growing.

You may have them with chemotherapy to treat advanced stomach cancer.

Medical Marijuana For Stomach Cancer Patients

Cannabis For Stomach Cancer

Can Cannabis Help Stomach Cancer Patients? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Stomach cancer occurs when stomach cells grow out of control. Also known as gastric cancer, stomach cancers develop over the course of several years. Before it becomes a cancer, the mucosa of the stomach experiences pre-cancerous changes although the symptoms often go undetected.

Stomach cancer can affect different parts of the stomach, and each of these will have their own symptoms and prognosis. The location of the cancer within the stomach also affects the kind of treatments available. There are many types of stomach cancers, although adenocarcinoma is the most common. Adenocarcinoma is the typical case of stomach or gastric cancers, which affect the innermost lining in the stomach. Other forms of stomach cancer are lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor , carcinoid tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma.

Older people are at higher risk for developing stomach cancer. The average age of people once diagnosed is 68, and every 6 out of 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer are aged 65 and up. Other risk factors include: male gender, diet low in fruits and vegetables, diet high in preserved, smoked, and salted foods, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, pernicious anemia, cigarette smoking, family history of gastric cancer, and familial adenomatous polyposis.

Cannabis can give hope to patients with stomach cancer.

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Treatment Of Gastric Cancer

Correspondence to: Michele Orditura, MD, PhD, Division of Medical Oncology, Dipartimento di Medicina, Clinica e Sperimentale F. Magrassi-A. Lanzara, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, c/o II Policlinico, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.

Telephone: +39-815-666723 Fax: +39-815-666723-6732

Unresectable Local Or Regional Cancers

Surgical Approach to Treating Stomach Cancer

These cancers havent spread to distant parts of the body, but they cant be removed completely with surgery.

Options for the first line of treatment for these cancers might include chemotherapy alone, chemo plus immunotherapy, chemo plus immunotherapy plus the targeted drug trastuzumab , or chemo plus radiation therapy . The stage of the cancer is then reassessed after treatment. Its very important that doctors know the true extent of the cancer at this point. Along with imaging tests like CT and PET scans, other tests such as endoscopic ultrasound or staging laparoscopy might be done.

If the cancer has shrunk enough with this treatment, surgery to remove the cancer might be an option at this point. This might be a subtotal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy . Nearby lymph nodes are removed as well.
If the cancer is still unresectable after the initial treatment, further treatment is aimed at controlling the cancer growth for as long as possible and preventing or relieving any problems it causes. This is similar to the treatment of metastatic cancer .

Sometimes, even when the cancer is potentially resectable, a person might not be healthy enough for major surgery, or they might decide not to have it. Treatment for these cancers is typically aimed at controlling the cancer growth for as long as possible and preventing or relieving any problems it causes. This is similar to the treatment of metastatic cancer .

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What Is Targeted Therapy Why Is Trastuzumab Used For Stomach Cancer Treatment In Delhi

A comparison of Targeted therapy and chemotherapy

Targeted therapy is a new way to treat cancer. Research has shown that some patients with stomach cancer express special markers which allows cancer to be attacked with new drugs with high efficacy and very low side effects. These drugs significantly improve the quality and length of disease control which can sometimes extend for many years even in stage 4 incurable disease. Learn more about targeted therapy here.

The most common targeted therapy used in stomach cancer is a drug called trastuzumab or herceptin. Dramatic responses can be seen with this drug in selected patients. Other targeted therapy can be used on a case by case basis. An expert medical oncologist can help you choose the best possible therapy.

Stomach Cancer Treatment In Delhi India

The best stomach cancer treatment in Delhi India by gold medalist cancer specialist. 12+ years of experience in AIIMS New Delhi, safe and effective stomach cancer immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, treatment with surgery and radiation for stomach cancer cure. More information here.

Receiving the Gold Medal for best Medical Oncologist

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What Is The Cost Of Stomach Cancer Treatment In Delhi India

In the modern era, there are multiple options available for cancer treatment. More expensive treatment isnt necessarily better. Often, a cheap drug that costs a few hundred rupees may produce the same benefit as another drug that costs lakhs of rupees. In this scenario, an ethical and dedicated oncologist can guide you to getting the best possible treatment at an affordable price. Thus, it is highly recommended to consult a stomach cancer specialist in Delhi.

Living With Stomach Cancer

Which is the best stomach cancer treatment in India?

Medical treatment may remove or destroy your cancer. Even though you will feel relieved, you may worry, too. You may be afraid that the cancer will return. Its completely normal to feel this way. It may be comforting to know that your doctor will still want to monitor your closely. You may need to see your doctor every 3 to 6 months for a few years.

If part of your cancer treatment involved removing all or part of your stomach, your doctor will refer you to a nutritionist. The nutritionist will help you plan meals so you get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. You may also need to take vitamin supplements.

Following treatment, your cancer may not completely go away. It can turn into a chronic condition. This can be stressful for you and your loved ones. You may need chemotherapy or other treatments to help control the cancer. These treatments can keep the cancer small and keep it from growing. When its not growing, you can take a break from treatment until it begins growing again.

If you have chronic cancer, it is important to find support for you and your family. Talk to a counselor, a minister or rabbi, or a support group. Know that you arent facing cancer alone.

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Diagnosis Of Stomach Cancer

If your doctor thinks you may have stomach cancer, you will be referred for further tests. The main test is an endoscopy . The doctor will use a thin, flexible tube with a camera , which passes into the mouth, down the throat and oesophagus into the stomach in order to look at the digestive tract.

If any suspicious-looking areas are detected, a small amount of tissue from the stomach lining may be removed and examined under a microscope. Less commonly used is an endoscopic ultrasound where the endoscope has an ultrasound probe at the end.

Immunotherapy For Stomach Cancer

Immunotherapy agents are a newer class of drugs that work to activate your bodys immune system to fight the cancer. Because immunotherapy works in a different way than traditional chemotherapy, it may be effective when chemotherapy does not work. Immunotherapy is often much better tolerated than chemotherapy.

One immunotherapy drug is pembrolizumab, which has been shown to be effective in certain types of advanced stomach cancer. Your doctor may conduct additional tests on the tumor to determine whether it is likely to respond to pembrolizumab.

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What Is The Prognosis For People Who Have Stomach Cancer

The outlook for stomach cancer depends on the stage of the cancer. People in the early stages of stomach cancer have a much greater rate of survival than those at a later stage:

If stomach cancer is found in its earliest stage and can be removed with an endoscope, the five-year survival rate is higher than 90 percent.
If the cancer is found after it has spread to areas surrounding the stomach, the five-year survival rate is 28 percent.
If the cancer has spread to areas beyond those surrounding the stomach, the five-year survival rate is 4 percent.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/17/2019.

References

Side Effects Of Stomach Cancer Treatments

What is Gastric Cancer (Stomach)?

All cancer treatments can have side effects. Your treatment team will discuss these with you before you start treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you are experiencing.

Some side effects can be upsetting and difficult, but there is help if you need it. Call Cancer Council Victoria Tel. or email to speak with a caring cancer nurse for support.

How Can Stomach Cancer Be Prevented

Stomach cancer can be prevented with the following practices:

The best way to prevent stomach cancer is by eating a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in salts and red meats.
Maintain a healthy weight and practice good exercise habits.
Avoid smoking, because it increases the risk for stomach cancer and many other cancers.

Prognosis And Survival Rates Of Stomach Cancer

When someone is diagnosed with stomach cancer, their doctor will give them a prognosis. A prognosis is the doctors opinion of how likely it is that the cancer will spread and the chances of getting better. A prognosis depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the persons age and general health.

Generally, the earlier stomach cancer is diagnosed the better the chances of successful treatment. If the cancer is found after it has spread from the stomach, the prognosis is not usually as good.

If you have stomach cancer, your doctor will talk to you about your individual situation when working out your prognosis. Every persons experience is different, and there is support available to you.

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Laser Therapy Or Stent

Laser therapy can be used to destroy tumors, stop bleeding, or alleviate a blockage in the stomach.

This can sometimes be accomplished without surgery.

The doctor inserts a long, flexible tube called an endoscope down the throat and into the stomach to deliver the laser beam. This is also called endoscopic tumor ablation.

Hollow tubes called stents can sometimes help. By placing a stent between the stomach and esophagus or between the stomach and small intestine, food will be able to pass through unobstructed.

What Are The Causes Of Stomach Cancer

The causes of stomach cancer are unknown, but there are certain common risk factors that increase the chances of getting the disease.

These include:

Gender: stomach cancer is more common in men than women. Men are twice as likely to get it than women.

Age: the risk of stomach cancer increases as you get older. Over half the people diagnosed with stomach cancer are aged over 75.

Helicobacter Pylori infection: a common stomach infection which, if left untreated, can cause inflammation and ulcers and increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Smoking: people who smoke tobacco increase their risk of developing stomach cancer.

Being very overweight or obese: having a BMI of over 30 indicates obesity, and this is a risk factor for stomach cancer.

Poor diet: not eating enough fruit and vegetables, having too much salt in your diet, eating a lot of processed meat and smoked or pickled foods, are all factors that may increase the chances of stomach cancer occurring.

Existing stomach conditions: some stomach conditions can cause changes in the stomach lining and increase the risk of stomach cancer. They include pernicious anemia and atrophic gastritis .

Stomach surgery: previous surgery for another stomach condition may put someone at a slightly increased risk of stomach cancer. Removing part of the stomach decreases the amount of acid in the stomach, which lowers the protection from bacteria and increases the risk of stomach cancer occurring.

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Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System

The system provides a surgeon with precise tiny instruments to manage surgery with maximal safety and accuracy. A surgeon manipulates on a special console, observing the operated area on 3D images in real-time. The tiny instruments make accurate incisions excluding the trembling hand effect and wrong movements.

Da Vinci robotic system is used as an alternative to open surgery to reduce pain, bleeding, minimize risks of infection and trauma of healthy tissues. An operation is performed through several 1cm incisions, not a big one 15 cm in size as for open surgery. Due to this, a patient recovers faster compared to traditional surgery: within 2-3 weeks instead of several months.

The research of 861 patients with gastric cancer who had robotic-assisted surgery, resulted in the following: the complication rate was 10.1% , the duration of surgery was 158 min on average. The recovery passed faster for patients after robotic surgery.

Treating Metastatic Stomach Cancer

Metastatic or secondary stomach cancer means the cancer has spread beyond the stomach.

If you have metastatic stomach cancer, your doctor will aim to slow down the growth of the cancer and relieve any symptoms you have. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. You may be suitable for a clinical trial. You may also have treatment to manage any symptoms from your cancer. This is called symptom control or palliative care.