Stomach cancer, also called as gastric cancer is generally developed due to tobacco smoking, poor diet and helicobacter pylori infection. As stomach is that part of our body where all the digestive tract organs, liver, pancreas and the intestines are located, it is difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of stomach cancer and other cancers present in the digestive tract. Some of these symptoms include pain in abdomen, burning sensation in the abdomen, abdominal bloating, difficulty in swallowing food, nausea, vomiting blood, loss of appetite, weight loss, changes in bowel habits and blood in stool. Its diagnosis includes CT scan, gastroscopic exam, upper GI series, endoscopy and biopsy. Treatment for stomach cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Sometimes a combination of chemoradiation, which is combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can be given to the patient.

Surgery for Stomach Cancer Treatment

Surgery is the most preferred option of treatment for cancer by most of the oncologists. It is done in different types. One of them is called as total gastrectomy, where the stomach along with the surrounding lymph nodes is removed and a surgical connection between the small intestine and the esophagus is provided. Another method is called as subtotal or partial gastrectomy, where the lower part of the stomach is removed and the remaining part is reconnected to the small intestine. This type of surgery is only performed when the cancer is found to be present in the lower abdominal region. In early stomach cancer cases, Endoscopic mucosal resection can also be performed to treat gastric cancer. In this method, the cancer along with some part of the stomach lining is removed through electricity. An electric wire is connected to the endoscope and is then passed towards the affected area. The current is allowed to flow so that the cancer cells are removed. Sometimes, endoluminal laser therapy is also performed for such patients. This method also involves killing the cancer cells through endoscope, but with laser. A laser attached endoscope is passed through the affected area to kill the cancerous cells present there. In some cases, where the cancer is found to block the passage of the food to the stomach, endoluminal stent placement is performed. In this method, a stent is placed from the esophagus to the stomach and / or from the stomach to the small intestine, so that the body of that patient functions properly, as and when he eats food.

Chemotherapy for Stomach Cancer Treatment

This method is given to prevent the recurrence of stomach cancer. Gastric cancer chemotherapy involves the combination of different drugs administered either in the form of pills or intravenously, to relieve the patient from cancer pain or shrink the size of the cancerous cells or prevent them from recurring inside the patient’s body. Some of these drugs, which are prescribed generally, are 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, Mitomycin C, taxotere and cisplatin.

Radiation Therapy for Stomach Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy involves the usage of high energy x-rays or the bombardment of radioactive protons, electrons or photons, to kill the cancerous cells present in the stomach region. It is generally given after surgery, so that the remaining cancerous cells are destroyed, thus preventing it from recurrence. It can also be given before surgery, to reduce the size of cancerous cells present inside the patient’s body, so that these can be easily removed through surgery.

Chemoradiation for Stomach Cancer Treatment

Chemoradiaiton, as the name suggests, is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In this method, the patient is given some dosage of chemotherapy drugs and is exposed to high energy x-rays, before or after the rest period. This method is found to relieve the patient from gastric cancer effectively.

The type of cancer treatment chosen to treat stomach cancer entirely depends on the extent to which the tumor cells have multiplied inside the patient’s body. Though, it is difficult to detect this type of cancer, the methods of treatment for stomach cancer are found to be effective and promising.

Please Note: The drugs / medications mentioned above should be taken on the prescription and supervision of an oncologist.