Stages of stomach cancer

Staging describes how far stomach cancer has spread. It is the main guide to treatment and outlook. Doctors use the TNM system, summarized here in plain language.

Stage 0 and Stage I (early) Cancer is limited to the inner lining or just into the stomach wall, with no or minimal lymph node spread. Often curable, sometimes even with endoscopic removal for the very earliest lesions.

Stage II Cancer has grown deeper into the stomach wall or into nearby lymph nodes. Treatment usually combines surgery with chemotherapy.

Stage III (locally advanced) Cancer has grown through the stomach wall or into many nearby lymph nodes, but has not spread to distant organs. Treatment typically combines chemotherapy, surgery and sometimes radiation.

Stage IV (advanced or metastatic) Cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, peritoneum or distant lymph nodes. Treatment focuses on controlling the disease, easing symptoms and maintaining quality of life, using chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

How staging is done

• Endoscopy with biopsy confirms the cancer.
• CT scans of the chest and abdomen look for spread.
• Endoscopic ultrasound measures wall depth and nearby nodes.
• Sometimes laparoscopy (a keyhole look inside the abdomen) before surgery.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Ayurveda has no equivalent of cancer staging. Stage is decided by scans and pathology and is essential for choosing treatment.

When to see a doctor Staging happens after diagnosis. Any persistent warning symptoms need evaluation first. Call 112 for severe bleeding or collapse.