Symptoms of Stomach cancer
As stomach cancer grows it can produce the following symptoms:
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Feeling full or bloated after small meals
- Severe heartburn and indigestion
- Fluid accumulation in the stomach
- Sudden weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing.
Treatment of Stomach cancer
The choice of treatment is highly dependent on tumor size and location, disease stage, and extent of metastasis. In general, cancer treatment involves killing and/or removing the cancerous cells. Early-stage cancer has the highest chance of a favorable prognosis. The 5-year survival rates for stomach cancer ranges from 71% (stages I) to 4% (stage IV). Many patients live longer than 5 years or are cured.
- Surgery. Depending on the location of the tumor, surgery is performed to remove the stomach (gastrectomy), either partially or completely. In partial gastrectomy, the affected lower part of the stomach is removed, while in total gastrectomy the entire stomach and parts of nearby organs are removed.
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a systemic drug therapy aimed at killing cancer cells at the original site, and those that have spread to other sites. The drugs work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells. Common side effects of chemotherapy are due to inadvertent toxicity to blood cells, and cells of the hair root and digestive tract, all of which are also rapidly diving. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with surgery.
- Radiation. Radiation or radiotherapy targets and kills all cells, including cancers, with high-energy radiation. It is usually applied locally and in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
- Targeted drugs. In addition to the above therapies, cancer cells with specific characteristics can be targeted with drugs. For example, Herceptin® (trastuzumab) is a humanized antibody that targets cancer cells over-producing the growth-promoting protein HER2, and inhibits proliferation.
- Experimental therapies. Patients who cannot benefit from available treatment options may choose to participate in studies, or clinical trials, of treatments that are not yet approved for prescription to the public. Information about available clinical trials as well as the associated risks and benefits is available through medical providers.