Before we move on to chemotherapy for stomach cancer, let us first understand what stomach cancer is, what causes it and what the symptoms of it are. Stomach cancer is also referred to as gastric cancer and it is a malignant form of cancer causing many deaths across the world. Stomach cancer could spread throughout the stomach and could also affect other organs such as the lungs, liver, esophagus and lymph nodes. Stomach cancer could be treated without much complication however in most cases the cancer symptoms are not noticed until it reaches the advanced stage. Stomach cancer could be caused due to various factors including infection, age, gender, smoking tobacco, diet, family history and other existing medical conditions.

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Given below are some of the common symptoms of stomach cancer:

• Loss of appetite
• Indigestion
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fatigue and weakness
• Bloating
• Blood in the stool
• Blood in the vomit
• Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen in advance stages

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Treatment for stomach cancer depends on what stage of stomach cancer is the patient diagnosed with. Some of the common tests that are used to diagnose stomach cancer include endoscopy, fecal occult blood test and barium swallow. Once the stomach cancer is diagnosed it is further categorized into different stages depending upon the size of the primary tumor, the degree to which it has spread to the surrounding tissue and also to the extent to which the cancer has spread to other organs. The treatment options are explored after the stage of the stomach cancer is determined. The treatment options differ depending upon which option would be most effective in treating the cancer. Given below are the stages and the treatment advised for each stage.

Stage 0 - At this stage, the cancer only affects the inner stomach lining and does not invade into other layers. Chemotherapy for stomach cancer or radiation therapy for stomach cancer is not required to treat the cancer when at this stage. Gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy are the commonly used surgical options to treat stomach cancer.

Stage 1 - This stage is further divided into two stages namely stage 1A and stage 1B. In stage 1A, surgery is a favorable option as it requires the removal of lymph nodes and omentum which is one of the tissue layers of the abdomen. Stage 1B may involve gastric cancer chemotherapy or stomach cancer chemotherapy either before or after the surgery.

Stage 2 - A stage 2 stomach cancer patient would be required to undergo a surgery first. However, chemotherapy may be recommended by the doctor before the surgery. Chemotherapy or chemoradiation may also be advised after the surgery.

Stage 3 - This stage of stomach cancer is also treated with a surgery and may involve chemotherapy before and / or after the surgery.

Stage 4 - It is difficult for the stomach cancer to be thoroughly treated if it reaches in stage 4. In this stage, the cancer is spread to other organs and a complete cure is not possible. Patients at this stage of stomach cancer are usually given palliative treatment. It also may involve a surgery to control bleeding and to save the intestines from being blocked.

Recurrent Cancer - Treatment option for recurrent cancer is the same as stage 4 of stomach cancer.

Chemotherapy for Stomach Cancer

You may have noticed that the treatment options mentioned above in all stages does not involve chemotherapy. Although a surgery may be the favorable option, chemotherapy can be given before and / or after the surgery. Chemotherapy prevents the cancer from spreading by shrinking the tumor and also by relieving the symptoms of cancer to extend the chances of survival of the patient to help him lead a better life. It is one of the ways to keep the cancer in control but it cannot completely cure the cancer. Some of the chemotherapy drugs that are usually used in the treatment include cisplatin, 5 FU, docetaxel, capecitabine, oxaliplatin and epirubicin. Single agent chemotherapy may be administered on some patients however a combination of chemotherapy drugs is found to be more effective to prevent the growth of cancer. Depending on the general health of the patient and the manner in which the body and the cancer reacts to the drugs helps determine the combination of drugs to be used.

Chemotherapy treatment for stomach cancer involves the use of the above mentioned drugs and these drugs may be given through a PICC line that is attached to a pump. The treatment can be taken at home where the pump provide a small dose of drug throughout the day. The doctors usually inform of how this is to be done by the patient at home. Chemotherapy cycles may vary between two to three weeks. As mentioned before, chemotherapy for stomach cancer may not completely cure the cancer but it could certainly better the condition of the patient by preventing the cancer from growing.