GASTRIC CANCER INFORMATION
Gastric Cancer Treatment
With early and accurate diagnosis, physicians can choose the most suitable treatments for patients, leading to better clinical outcomes.
Types of treatment for gastric cancer
Gastric cancer may be managed by various treatment types, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Descriptions of these treatment approaches are given below.
- Surgery (partial or total gastrectomy): This involves removing either a part of or the whole stomach, depending on the extent of cancer growth. For very small cancers, a nonsurgical approach may be used (known as endoscopic resection) for removal of the tumor using an endoscopic tube to view and access the digestive tract.
- Radiotherapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in the part of the body that is treated.
- Chemotherapy: Intravenous or oral administration of drugs that kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth.
- Chemoradiation: A strong treatment regimen combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: Administering drugs that activate the immune system to target cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: The use of drugs that target specific genes or proteins involved in cancer growth and spread, thereby enabling them to precisely identify and attack certain types of cancer cells.
Treatment depends on tumor stage
Treatment plans are based on various factors including the cancer location, stage, aggressiveness, and the patient’s overall health condition and preference.healthcare specialists for specific concerns.
As the tumor evolves, treatment regimens may also change to suit each patient’s needs.
Shown below is what patients might expect at different gastric cancer stages.
- Stage 0 (pre-malignant): Tumor removal via surgery or endoscopic therapy to control cancer growth and lower the risk of further spread.
- Stage 1: Endoscopic therapy, surgery, and/or chemoradiation therapy. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy may be prescribed.
- Stage 2 and 3: Surgery, chemotherapy, and/or chemoradiation therapy may be used in combination or in succession.
- Stage 4: Palliative care may be recommended, involving chemotherapy or radiation therapy to relieve symptoms. Immunotherapy or targeted therapy may also be used.
How can GASTROClear lead to more effective treatment?
Gastric cancer is curable if detected early. Close to 90% of patients diagnosed with stage -1 gastric cancer have good outcomes with curative treatment. However, the survival rate drops to less than 20% for a patient diagnosed with stage-4 gastric cancer.
GASTROClear is a blood test – the first of its kind in the world – designed to detect gastric cancer in people who may be at risk but are not yet experiencing any symptoms. Regular screening can increase the chances of detecting gastric cancer in the early stages, so that timely life-saving treatment can be administered.
Where can you get tested?
Gastric Cancer
Do you want to learn more about gastric cancer?
Early detection of gastric cancer
Regular screening can increase the chances of detecting gastric cancer in the early stages. Find out how you can prevent and detect gastric cancer early.
Symptoms of gastric cancer
Gastric cancer usually shows no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Knowing and proactively managing your risk through regular screening is the key to early detection.