How to treat or cure stomach cancer

Stomach cancer treatment depends on the stage, the tumor's markers and the person's health. A team of specialists (surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, gastroenterologist, dietitian) plans care. Early disease can often be cured.

Endoscopic treatment (very early cancer) Cancers limited to the inner lining can sometimes be removed through the endoscope (EMR or ESD), without major surgery.

Surgery

• Partial (subtotal) gastrectomy: removal of the affected part of the stomach.
• Total gastrectomy: removal of the whole stomach, with the food pipe joined to the small intestine. Nearby lymph nodes are removed and tested. Surgery is the main curative treatment for stages I to III.

Chemotherapy Given before and after surgery in many cases, and as the main treatment in advanced disease.

Radiation therapy Used in selected cases, often with chemotherapy, especially after surgery or to control symptoms such as bleeding or pain.

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy For advanced disease with matching markers (HER2, mismatch repair, PD-L1), these medicines can improve control and survival.

Supportive and palliative care

• Stents for blockage, procedures to stop bleeding, nutrition support and pain control.
• Palliative care alongside treatment improves comfort and quality of life at every stage; it is not only end-of-life care.

Follow-up Regular reviews, scans, blood tests, endoscopy when needed, and lifelong vitamin supplementation after stomach removal.