Gastric Cancer Treatments

Gastric Cancer Treatment

The gastrointestinal tract is the digestive pathway starting at the mouth and ending at the anus, with the esophagus, stomach, and intestines between. Other organs, like the liver and gallbladder, are also included in the gastrointestinal system.

Gastric cancer is generally classified by the region of the stomach where it originates. The stomach is composed of three parts: the gastroesophageal junction (the upper part of the stomach connecting to the esophagus), the corpus (the main part of the stomach), and the antrum (the lower section that opens into the small intestines).

Gastric cancer originating in the stomach is commonly referred to as stomach cancer, although not all gastric cancers may be classified this way. Gastric cancer starting in the stomach may spread through the esophagus, colon and rectum. Treatment for gastric cancer will depend on the location and spread of the tumors along the gastrointestinal tract.

Conventional Gastric Cancer Treatment Options

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers advanced gastric cancer treatment options in a plan tailored to your individual needs. Your individualized treatment plan will depend on the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your treatment goals.   

Surgery

The type of surgical procedure your doctor recommends involves the part of the stomach involved. A gastrectomy is an operation that removes part or all of the stomach. Sometimes lymph nodes or surrounding tissues are removed as well.

There are two main types of gastrectomies: a subtotal gastrectomy removes only the portion of the stomach affected by the cancer, whereas a total gastrectomy removes the entire stomach. If the cancer cannot be completely removed, surgery may be performed to remove blockages or relieve symptoms.

Chemotherapy

The anti-cancer drugs used in chemotherapy treatments are designed to inhibit the rapid division of cancer cells. Depending on your individual treatment plan, chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery, or in combination with radiation therapy. At CTCA, our cancer experts offer innovative methods, like metronomic chemotherapy, which may help to diminish some of the unpleasant side effects associated with standard chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy

Precision high-energy rays reduce the size of tumors by eliminating cancer cells. The bulk and extent of stomach tumors may be minimized using radiation therapy prior to surgery. In other cases, radiation may be used after an operation to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

CTCA offers some of the most cutting-edge radiation therapies in the United States, like TheraSphere^® and TomoTherapy^® . These radiation therapies use techniques that enable your doctor to deliver concentrated radiation doses directly to the tumor. Your CTCA cancer team will help you decide if radiation is a viable treatment option for you.

Complementary Gastric Cancer Treatment Options

CTCA offers a variety of innovative procedures designed to target gastric cancer while minimizing the side effects. Here, we take the time to understand your individual needs so that we can tailor a treatment plan that's right for you.

Symptoms of gastric cancer may cause side effects like pain and difficult eating. Your individual treatment plan will include conventional therapies combined with supportive therapies designed to reduce side effects and support your overall well being.

Some complementary treatment options for gastric cancer include the following:

• Nutrition therapy
• Pain management
• Naturopathic medicine
• Oncology rehabilitation
• Mind-body medicine

The CTCA Difference

At CTCA, we offer traditional medical treatments in combination with supportive cancer therapies—all under one roof. Your treatment plan is designed with your needs and comfort in mind. Together, you and your doctors will chart the best course of treatment for you.

If you're looking for an innovative and personalized approach to treating gastric cancer, contact one of our Oncology Information Specialists at 888-841-9129 or Chat Now to explore our gastric cancer treatment program in more detail. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day, every day of the week.