Stomach Cancer

Surgery is often the main treatment option for stomach cancer. Whenever possible, we use small incisions and a small tube (laparoscope) with a camera on its end to see inside your abdomen while performing surgery. Surgery may allow us to remove the tumor or to accurately determine the stage of your cancer before nonsurgical treatment.

A partial gastrectomy surgically removes part of your stomach. A total gastrectomy removes your entire stomach. Lymph nodes and nearby organs may also be removed if cancer has spread. If your entire stomach is removed, your esophagus may be attached to your small intestine to help you eat and digest normally.

When a tumor creates a blockage, your doctor may insert an expanding metal scaffolding device, called a stent, through a small lighted endoscope, to clear the blockage.

Kills or slows the growth of cancer cells. Our medical oncologists routinely combine the newest chemotherapy drugs with standard drug regimens to achieve a better response, fewer side effects, and improved quality of life. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to prevent their recurrence. Chemotherapy also may be the best treatment for stomach cancer that has spread to other organs.

Activates your immune system against cancer or reverses immune suppression caused by cancer. Our medical oncologists will determine if immunotherapy should be added to chemotherapy or given by itself for stomach cancers that have spread to other organs, or if immunotherapy should be given after the cancer has been removed.

Usually given externally through high energy beams, or internally by implanting seeds, wires, or wafers to shrink or kill stomach cancers. Your doctor will recommend the best approach based on the stage and size of your stomach cancer. We may use radiation before surgery to reduce complications and improve outcomes. We may also use it to relieve symptoms when tumors cannot be surgically removed.

Stop tumors from growing by targeting a protein in the cancer called HER2. May be combined with chemotherapy to help extend survival in patients with advanced stomach cancer.