How is stomach cancer treated?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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The treatment for gastric cancer now includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, among others. The specific treatment plan is formulated based on various factors such as the staging of the cancer, the patient's overall condition, and the presence of any underlying diseases, which are all taken into consideration before deciding on a treatment plan. For patients in the early stages who are generally in good condition, surgical resection can be evaluated and is primarily curative. Post-operative treatment decisions, such as whether to pursue adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depend on the pathology results and the presence of high-risk factors for recurrence. For patients in advanced stages who are found to have distant metastases upon diagnosis, treatment is primarily chemotherapy. Additionally, there are broad-spectrum targeted therapies against angiogenesis, such as apatinib, which are suitable for patients with advanced gastric cancer or those who do not respond well to chemotherapy, serving as a secondary or tertiary line of treatment. These are some of the treatment methods for gastric cancer. It is crucial that the use of any medication is conducted under the guidance of a doctor.

Other Voices

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is gastric cancer contagious?

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor occurring in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa. It is non-contagious. Currently, the incidence of gastric cancer is relatively high, primarily due to Helicobacter pylori infection, adverse environmental factors, and dietary irritants. Genetic factors also play a significant role, with 10% of gastric cancer patients having a family history. Those with a family history of gastric cancer have an incidence rate that is 2 to 3 times higher than the general population. Additionally, precancerous lesions can also induce gastric cancer, such as intestinal metaplasia, gastric polyps, residual gastritis, and gastric ulcers. Typical symptoms include indigestion, anemia, lack of appetite, aversion to food, and fatigue. Currently, gastroscopy combined with mucosal biopsy is the most reliable diagnostic method.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What can someone with stomach cancer eat?

For the diet of stomach cancer patients, they should focus on eating easily digestible foods and maintain a balanced diet with frequent small meals. They can eat meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. However, they should avoid cancer-causing foods such as pickled products and barbecued foods, as well as overly greasy or hard-to-digest foods. There are no specific dietary prohibitions. As long as the patient has a good appetite and can tolerate food, they can eat many types of food.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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early symptoms of gastric cancer

The early symptoms of gastric cancer are similar to those of some gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, or duodenal ulcers. They don't have very specific clinical manifestations. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, and acid reflux-like symptoms, which are early symptoms in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, when such symptoms appear, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly and undergo a thorough gastroscopy.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What can stomach cancer patients eat?

Gastric cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the gastric mucosal epithelium. Special attention should be paid to the diet, appropriately supplementing with multivitamins and consuming more fresh foods, such as fresh green vegetables and fruits. The diet should be diverse to avoid favoring certain foods overly and to ensure the intake of a variety of nutrients. It is also necessary to eat some meat for protein, avoid moldy foods, reduce the consumption of pickled, salted, smoked foods, and those rich in nitrites, and avoid the irritation from strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor. In addition to dietary measures, active treatment for early-stage gastric cancer can include endoscopic mucosal resection, or one may opt for a major gastric resection surgery or radiotherapy, while maintaining a good psychological state and sufficient sleep.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Can late-stage gastric cancer be treated?

Patients with late-stage gastric cancer generally may not have the opportunity for curative surgery, which is mainly suitable for early-stage gastric cancer patients. For late-stage gastric cancer patients, the treatment plan should be chosen based on the specific condition of the patient. If the patient's general condition is relatively good, chemotherapy can be an option. The type of chemotherapy, whether intravenous combination chemotherapy or oral drugs like tegafur capsules or capecitabine, which generally have milder reactions, depends on the patient's condition. Additionally, late-stage gastric cancer patients can try molecular targeted therapy, such as anti-angiogenesis drugs like apatinib, etc. Therefore, treatment options should be selected based on specific circumstances. The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.