X
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer. The stomach is a muscular sac that is located in the upper and middle part of the abdomen, just below the ribs. Although stomach cancer can affect any part of the stomach, it mostly forms in the stomach body, which is the main part of the body. Treatment mainly includes surgery for the removal of stomach cancer. Other forms of treatment may be recommended before or after surgery.
Types:
According to the type of cells that cancer begins in, stomach cancer can be classified as follows:
The symptoms of stomach cancer include:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest)
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Feeling full after eating a small quantity of food
- Feeling bloated after eating
- Vomiting
- Unintended weight loss
- Complications:
- Stomach cancer can cause the following complications:
- Bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine
- Spread of stomach cancer to other parts of the body like lungs, liver, bones, or lymph nodes
- Obstruction of the small intestine
- Gastric perforation (hole formation in the stomach, large intestine, or small intestine.
1. Physical examination: The patient is checked physically by the doctor. The symptoms, medical history, and family history of the patient are noted.
2. Upper endoscopy: An endoscope is a thin tube with a camera on one end. It is passed through the mouth and throat into the stomach by the surgeon to check for any signs of cancer.
3. Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and a special type of x-ray called barium swallow are imaging tests done to obtain clear images of the internal structures of the body.
4. Biopsy: The surgeon excises (removes) a small sample of the suspected tissue growth during an upper endoscopy using special medical tools. This sample is sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.
5. Blood tests: This test can be used for measuring organ function, to check which organs in the body are affected by cancer.
6. Endoscopic ultrasound: An endoscope is passed down the throat into the stomach by the surgeon, and a special ultrasound tool is used for creating images of the stomach in this test.
7. Exploratory surgery: This procedure is done by laparoscopy. The surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a tube with a special camera, known as a laparoscope, in the abdomen to transmit the images to a monitor. This test helps in checking if cancer has spread beyond the stomach.
The type of treatment done depends on the severity of cancer, location of cancer, and the overall health of the patient. Treatment options include:
1. Surgery: It is the most common form of treatment for stomach cancer. The different types of surgeries include:
a) Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal resection: It is a surgical procedure to remove small cancers by passing special medical tools through an endoscope. Removal of the superficial tumors is known as endoscopic mucosal resection, and the deeper tumors is known as endoscopic submucosal resection.
b) Subtotal gastrectomy: This procedure involves the removal of that part of the stomach which is affected by cancer, along with some healthy tissue surrounding it.
c) Total gastrectomy: This is the surgical removal of the entire stomach and some surrounding tissue.
Lymph nodes removal: The lymph nodes in the abdomen are removed by the surgeon to test them for the presence of cancer.
2. Chemotherapy: This therapy involves the use of certain drugs to kill cancer cells.
3. Radiation therapy: This therapy involves the use of high-powered energy beams like x-rays and protons to kill cancer cells.
4. Targeted drug therapy: Some drugs attack specific characteristics of the cancer cells, ultimately causing the death of the cancer cells. This is known as targeted drug therapy.
5. Immunotherapy: This form of treatment involves the use of certain drugs to boost the body’s immune or disease-fighting system to kill the cancer cells.
The various risks associated with the different types of treatments done for stomach cancer include:
1. Surgery:
- Dizziness
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
2. Radiation therapy:
- Skin reactions
- Weakness
- Upset stomach
- Loose bowel movements
3. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
4. Immunotherapy:
- Skin reactions
- Changes in weight
- Flu-like symptoms
- Diarrhea
- In case of a surgical procedure like gastrectomy, you will probably be in the hospital for 3 to 10 days after the procedure.
- Some pain and discomfort are normally seen after a surgical procedure. The doctor may advise some pain medications to get relief from the same.
- You will be asked to gradually move from a liquid diet to a semi-solid and solid diet after surgery.
- A feeding tube may be placed in the small intestine through an incision in the abdomen. This tube is generally removed after 3 to 4 weeks.
- You may be asked to wear compression stockings for a few weeks after the surgery to help with blood circulation in the legs and prevent blood clot formation.
- The doctor may advise you to avoid driving, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities for a couple of weeks after the surgery.
- A physiotherapist may help you with breathing and coughing exercises to help in keeping the lungs clear and reducing the chances of chest infection.
- Palliative or supportive treatment is generally recommended along with other forms of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. This therapy helps in the management of the symptoms of the disease and improves the quality of life of the patient.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the doctor are a must after treatment. The doctor will check for any recurrence of cancer and the overall health and well-being of the patient.
Top Doctors for Stomach Cancer Treatment in India
{{x.doctor_name}}
{{x.qualifications}}
-
{{x.specialisation }}
{{x.clinic_name}} - {{x.locality}}, {{x.city_name}}
{{y.day}}: {{y.slot}}
- Fee INR {{x.rate}}
No Results Found!
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer. The stomach is a muscular sac that is located in the upper and middle part of the abdomen, just below the ribs. Although stomach cancer can affect any part of the stomach, it mostly forms in the stomach body, which is the main part of the body. Treatment mainly includes surgery for the removal of stomach cancer. Other forms of treatment may be recommended before or after surgery.
Types:
According to the type of cells that cancer begins in, stomach cancer can be classified as follows:
1. Adenocarcinomas: These types of cancers are seen in the glandular lining of the stomach. It is the most common type of stomach cancer.
2. Sarcomas: Stomach cancers affecting the connective tissue, that is, the fat, muscles, or blood vessels.
3. Lymphomas: Stomach cancers develop from the lymphocytes, which are a type of blood cells that are involved in the body’s immune or disease-fighting system.
4. Other types of cancers: Squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and carcinoids are the other types of stomach cancers.
5. Metastatic cancers: The cancers that begin in other parts of the body, like melanoma (a type of skin cancer) and breast cancer, and later spread to the stomach are known as metastatic cancers.
Causes:
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not clearly known. Stomach cancer starts due to the changes (mutations) in the DNA of the cells. These changes cause the cells to grow and multiply rapidly. The abnormal cells accumulate to form a tumor. This tumor can invade and destroy healthy tissue. The cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to the other parts of the body.
Risk factors:
The factors which may increase the risk of developing stomach cancer may include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (the stomach acid persistently flows back into the food pipe causing a burning sensation in the chest)
- A high intake of salty and smoked foods
- A diet having less of fruits and vegetables
- Family history of stomach cancer
- Gastritis (chronic or long-term inflammation of the stomach)
- Stomach polyps (masses of cells that are formed on the lining inside the stomach)
- Helicobacter pylori infection (a bacterial infection that
Symptoms
The symptoms of stomach cancer include:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest)
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Feeling full after eating a small quantity of food
- Feeling bloated after eating
- Vomiting
- Unintended weight loss
- Complications:
- Stomach cancer can cause the following complications:
- Bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine
- Spread of stomach cancer to other parts of the body like lungs, liver, bones, or lymph nodes
- Obstruction of the small intestine
- Gastric perforation (hole formation in the stomach, large intestine, or small intestine.
Diagnosis
1. Physical examination: The patient is checked physically by the doctor. The symptoms, medical history, and family history of the patient are noted.
2. Upper endoscopy: An endoscope is a thin tube with a camera on one end. It is passed through the mouth and throat into the stomach by the surgeon to check for any signs of cancer.
3. Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and a special type of x-ray called barium swallow are imaging tests done to obtain clear images of the internal structures of the body.
4. Biopsy: The surgeon excises (removes) a small sample of the suspected tissue growth during an upper endoscopy using special medical tools. This sample is sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.
5. Blood tests: This test can be used for measuring organ function, to check which organs in the body are affected by cancer.
6. Endoscopic ultrasound: An endoscope is passed down the throat into the stomach by the surgeon, and a special ultrasound tool is used for creating images of the stomach in this test.
7. Exploratory surgery: This procedure is done by laparoscopy. The surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a tube with a special camera, known as a laparoscope, in the abdomen to transmit the images to a monitor. This test helps in checking if cancer has spread beyond the stomach.
Treatment
The type of treatment done depends on the severity of cancer, location of cancer, and the overall health of the patient. Treatment options include:
1. Surgery: It is the most common form of treatment for stomach cancer. The different types of surgeries include:
a) Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal resection: It is a surgical procedure to remove small cancers by passing special medical tools through an endoscope. Removal of the superficial tumors is known as endoscopic mucosal resection, and the deeper tumors is known as endoscopic submucosal resection.
b) Subtotal gastrectomy: This procedure involves the removal of that part of the stomach which is affected by cancer, along with some healthy tissue surrounding it.
c) Total gastrectomy: This is the surgical removal of the entire stomach and some surrounding tissue.
Lymph nodes removal: The lymph nodes in the abdomen are removed by the surgeon to test them for the presence of cancer.
2. Chemotherapy: This therapy involves the use of certain drugs to kill cancer cells.
3. Radiation therapy: This therapy involves the use of high-powered energy beams like x-rays and protons to kill cancer cells.
4. Targeted drug therapy: Some drugs attack specific characteristics of the cancer cells, ultimately causing the death of the cancer cells. This is known as targeted drug therapy.
5. Immunotherapy: This form of treatment involves the use of certain drugs to boost the body’s immune or disease-fighting system to kill the cancer cells.
Risks
The various risks associated with the different types of treatments done for stomach cancer include:
1. Surgery:
- Dizziness
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
2. Radiation therapy:
- Skin reactions
- Weakness
- Upset stomach
- Loose bowel movements
3. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
4. Immunotherapy:
- Skin reactions
- Changes in weight
- Flu-like symptoms
- Diarrhea
After Procedure
- In case of a surgical procedure like gastrectomy, you will probably be in the hospital for 3 to 10 days after the procedure.
- Some pain and discomfort are normally seen after a surgical procedure. The doctor may advise some pain medications to get relief from the same.
- You will be asked to gradually move from a liquid diet to a semi-solid and solid diet after surgery.
- A feeding tube may be placed in the small intestine through an incision in the abdomen. This tube is generally removed after 3 to 4 weeks.
- You may be asked to wear compression stockings for a few weeks after the surgery to help with blood circulation in the legs and prevent blood clot formation.
- The doctor may advise you to avoid driving, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities for a couple of weeks after the surgery.
- A physiotherapist may help you with breathing and coughing exercises to help in keeping the lungs clear and reducing the chances of chest infection.
- Palliative or supportive treatment is generally recommended along with other forms of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. This therapy helps in the management of the symptoms of the disease and improves the quality of life of the patient.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the doctor are a must after treatment. The doctor will check for any recurrence of cancer and the overall health and well-being of the patient.
FAQ Section
Stomach cancer or gastric cancer is a condition in which there is an abnormal growth of cells within the lining of the stomach.
The different types of stomach cancers depending on the type of tissue they start in include:
- Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type of stomach cancer that starts in the glandular stomach lining.
- Lymphomas: This type of stomach cancer starts in the lymphocytes, which is a type of blood cell involved in the body’s immune or disease-fighting system.
- Sarcomas: This type of cancer involves the connective tissue, that is, the fat, muscles, or blood vessels.
- Other cancers: Squamous cell carcinomas, carcinoids, and small cell carcinomas are the other rare type of stomach cancers.
- Metastatic cancers: Cancers that start elsewhere in the body, like breast cancer and melanoma (a type of skin cancer), and then travel to the stomach are known as metastatic cancers.
The exact cause of stomach cancer is not known. Stomach cancer starts when cells in the stomach develop changes in their DNA.
This causes rapid growth and multiplication of the cells. The accumulation of these abnormal cells leads to the formation of a tumor, that can cause the invasion and destruction of the healthy tissue. These cells can later break off and metastasize (spread) to the other parts of the body.
Certain factors increase the chances of developing stomach cancer, which include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- High consumption of alcohol
- High salt in the diet
- A diet low in vegetables and fruits
- Family history of stomach cancer
- Gastritis (long-term inflammation of the stomach)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (when the stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe)
- Stomach polyps (masses of cells that form on the lining inside the stomach)
- Helicobacter pylori infection (a type of bacterial infection that may affect the stomach)
The different symptoms associated with stomach cancer include:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Unintended loss of weight
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Feeling bloated
- Feeling full after eating a small quantity of food
- Blood in stools
- Fatigue
Stomach cancer can be diagnosed by:
1. Physical examination: The doctor examines the patient physically. The patient’s symptoms are noted, along with the medical history and family history of the patient.
2. Upper endoscopy: A thin tube with a camera on one end, known as an endoscope, is passed down the throat into the stomach to check for signs of cancer.
3. Biopsy: The doctor removes a sample of the suspected tissue growth using endoscopy. This sample is sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.
4. Imaging tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and a special type of X-ray exam called barium swallow may be used to obtain clear images of the internal organs of the body.
5. Blood tests: Blood tests may be done to measure organ function in the body, that is, if a particular organ of the body is affected by cancer.
6. Endoscopic ultrasound: An endoscope is passed down the throat into the stomach, and a special ultrasound tool is used to obtain clear images of the stomach. It helps the doctor to determine how deeply cancer has penetrated the stomach wall.
7. Exploratory surgery: This surgery is done laparoscopically. The surgeon makes small incisions in the stomach and inserts a tube with a camera to obtain images of the inside organs. This test is done to check if cancer has spread beyond the stomach.
The different types of treatments for stomach cancer include:
1. Surgery: The various surgical procedures that can be done to treat stomach cancer include:
Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal resection: Stomach cancers that are limited inside the lining of the stomach may be removed using special medical tools through an endoscope. The superficial tumors are removed by a procedure called mucosal resection, and the deep tumors are removed by submucosal resection.
Subtotal gastrectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon removes cancer-affected part of the stomach, along with some healthy tissue that surrounds it. This procedure is performed when the stomach cancer is located near the small intestine.
Total gastrectomy: This procedure includes surgical removal of the entire stomach and some surrounding tissue. The food pipe (esophagus) is then connected to the small intestine directly allowing the food to move through the digestive system. This procedure is done in cases of stomach cancers affecting the body of stomach and cancers located in the gastroesophageal junction (the point where the esophagus joins the stomach).
Lymph nodes removal: The lymph nodes are removed by the surgeon to test for the presence of cancer.
Surgery for relieving symptoms: In advanced cases of stomach cancer, the surgeon may remove a part of the stomach to relieve the symptoms.
2. Chemotherapy:
This procedure involves the use of certain medications to kill the cancer cells.
Chemotherapy can be used before surgery to shrink the tumor, allowing it to be removed easily.
Chemotherapy can also be used after surgery to kill the cancer cells that may still be remaining.
Chemotherapy is sometimes used in combination with radiation therapy.
3. Radiation therapy:
This therapy uses high-powered energy beams like x-rays and protons to kill the cancer cells.
4. Targeted drug therapy:
Some drugs target certain characteristics of the cancer cells, causing the death of the cancer cells.
5. Immunotherapy:
This is a form of drug treatment that boosts the immune (disease-fighting) system of the body to kill the cancer cells.
If stomach cancer is left untreated, it may cause the following complications:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine)
- Spread of stomach cancer to other parts of the body like lungs, liver, bones, or lymph nodes
- Small intestinal blockage or obstruction
- Gastric perforation (a hole formed in the stomach, large intestine, or small intestine)
The side effects of the different types of treatments done for stomach cancer include:
1. Surgery:
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness after eating
- Bleeding
- Infection
2. Radiation therapy:
- Skin reactions
- Fatigue
- Loose bowel movements
- Stomach upset
3. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy:
- Risk of infection
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
4. Immunotherapy:
- Skin reactions
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fluctuations in weight
- Diarrhea
Stomach cancer can be prevented by the following means:
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits and vegetables
- Reduce the consumption of salty and smoked foods
If you have a family history of stomach cancer, visit your doctor regularly to get periodic check-ups and tests done for stomach cancer
The prognosis of stomach cancer depends on the severity of the cancer.
In the early stages of stomach cancer, cancer can be removed using an endoscope and the five-year survival rate is greater than 90 percent.
If stomach cancer is diagnosed after it has spread to the areas that surround the stomach, the five-year survival rate is 28 percent.
If stomach cancer has spread to the areas far away from the stomach, the five-year survival rate drops to only 4 percent.
The cost of Stomach Cancer Treatment varies across different cities and hospitals.
| CITY | COST |
| Cost of Stomach Cancer Treatment in Mumbai | INR 200000- INR 500000 |
| Cost of Stomach Cancer Treatment in Bangalore | INR 190000- INR 490000 |
| Cost of Stomach Cancer Treatment in Delhi | INR 190000- INR 490000 |
| Cost of Stomach Cancer Treatment in Chennai | INR 170000- INR 480000 |