Surgery: The most effective treatment option for stomach
cancer is surgery. The sooner the cancer is discovered, the better the chances
of making a full recovery. Surgery is effective because tumors or cancerous
cells are removed from the stomach, thus preventing their growth or spread.
Treatment of stomach cancer depends highly on the location, size, and stage of
the tumor. Some forms of stomach cancer are inoperable, and physicians must
choose alternative treatment options. Stomach surgery to remove cancer may
consist of:
Partial Gastrectomy:
Only the area of the stomach that contains cancerous cells is removed.
Total Gastrectomy:
The entire stomach is removed, and the esophagus is re-attached to the
small intestine.
In situations where stomach cancer is inoperable, chemotherapy and radiation
treatments are possibilities. Additionally, after a patient undergoes
successful surgery, chemotherapy may be necessary to prevent the re-growth of
cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy: This is a drug that is intended to stop the
growth of cancer cells, and kill existing cells. Chemotherapy is administered
orally or through an IV, and travels through the bloodstream. In the case of
stomach cancer, there are methods to administer chemotherapy directly into the
abdomen using a thin tube. Chemo is an outpatient procedure that may be
recommended before and after surgery.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high energy X-rays
to stop the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors. Prior to surgery, a
patient may undergo a round of radiation treatment. Patients who undergo
radiation therapy are required to receive treatment five days a week for five
to six weeks. This is an outpatient procedure, thus it is not mandatory that
patients remain in the hospital. However, patients in the advance stages of
cancer, or who experience complications may have to stay in the hospital for a
few days until their condition improves.