Stomach cancer, sometimes referred to as gastric cancer, requires a comprehensive treatment approach. The treatment of a particular stomach cancer depends on various factors, including the type of stomach cancer, its stage, the patient’s overall health and medical history, and personal preferences.
At Beacon Clinic, we assist patients with all types of cancer, including stomach cancer, to develop appropriate treatment plans that align with a patient’s preferences and priorities, providing information, recommendations, and even referrals. In addition, we offer many supportive services to help cancer patients cope with lifestyle and other changes that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can often cause. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, here is some information that can help orient you to the treatments that your oncologist may recommend.
Types of Stomach Cancer
There are several types of stomach cancer, the most common of which are:
- Adenocarcinoma: This is the most prevalent type of stomach cancer, accounting for about 90-95% of stomach cancer cases. It originates in the cells of the stomach lining.
- Lymphoma: This type of cancer develops in the immune system tissues found in the stomach wall. It is relatively rare compared to adenocarcinoma.
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): These are rare tumors that begin in the interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach wall.
- Carcinoid Tumors: These tumors develop from hormone-producing cells in the stomach and are also quite rare.
Treatment Options Based on Type and Stage
The treatment of stomach cancer is tailored to the specific type and stage of the disease. Here’s a breakdown of the most common treatments:
Early-Stage Stomach Cancer
In the early stages, stomach cancer is usually local, appearing in the inner layers of the stomach. Treatment options may include:
For early-stage stomach cancer, when the cancerous cells are localized, surgery is often the first line of treatment. The goal is to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue with the hope that all cancerous cells will be removed. The most common surgical procedures are:
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: EMR is a minimally invasive procedure for removing small tumors from the stomach lining.
- Subtotal Gastrectomy: This procedure involves removing part of the stomach.
- Total Gastrectomy: Involves removing the entire stomach.
- Endoscopic Resection: For very small tumors, endoscopic techniques can remove the cancerous tissue without the need for open surgery.
- Adjuvant Therapy: Adjuvant therapy refers to additional treatments — often chemotherapy or radiation therapy — undergone after a surgical procedure to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Locally Advanced Stomach Cancer
When stomach cancer has spread outside the stomach to nearby lymph nodes or to adjacent tissues, the treatment approach becomes more aggressive:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs created to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used prior to surgery to shrink tumors and after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may be remaining. Common chemotherapy drugs for stomach cancer include fluorouracil, cisplatin, and capecitabine.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation uses high-energy beams to narrowly target and kill cancer cells. It is often combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) to increase its effectiveness.
- Surgery: Surgical options remain standard, with procedures like subtotal or total gastrectomy being common. Surgeons may also remove affected lymph nodes to prevent further spread of the disease.
Metastatic Stomach Cancer
For advanced stomach cancer that has metastasized (spread) to distant organs, treatment focuses on controlling the disease and relieving symptoms:
- Chemotherapy: Systemic chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment to help control cancer spread and alleviate symptoms.
- Targeted Therapy: These treatments target specific molecules involved in cancer growth. Drugs such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) are used for HER2-positive stomach cancers.
- Immunotherapy: This approach uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is one immunotherapy drug that has shown promise in treating advanced stomach cancer.
- Palliative Care: Focused on improving the quality of life, palliative care includes pain management, nutritional support, and other therapies to help manage symptoms.
The treatment of stomach cancer varies significantly based on the type and stage of the disease, as well as the patient’s specific circumstances. Moreover, in addition to these commonly used treatments, researchers at labs and hospitals across the country are also investigating the use of new drugs and therapies for all types of cancers, including stomach cancer. Beacon Clinic is pleased to be able to work with some of these organizations to occasionally offer the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for those patients who meet eligibility criteria.
At our clinic in North Idaho, Beacon Clinic provides comprehensive cancer care support. We assist patients in developing personalized treatment plans and provide nutrition, lifestyle, and other support services to help cancer patients throughout treatment and recovery. If you or a loved one is facing a stomach cancer diagnosis, contact our dedicated team at Beacon Clinic to guide you through every step of the treatment journey.
