Treatment for gastric cancer depends on the stage of the disease, tumor location, molecular characteristics, and the patient's overall health.
- Surgery: Surgery is often the primary treatment for localized gastric cancer. Procedures may involve removing part of the stomach (partial gastrectomy) or the entire stomach (total gastrectomy), along with nearby lymph nodes.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells and may be given before surgery, after surgery, or as the primary treatment for advanced disease.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and may be combined with chemotherapy in certain treatment plans.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies focus on specific molecular changes that help cancer cells grow and survive. These treatments may be used for cancers with specific biomarkers such as HER2.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Some patients with advanced gastric cancer may benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Endoscopic Treatments: In select cases of very early-stage gastric cancer, specialized endoscopic procedures may remove cancerous tissue without traditional surgery.
- Clinical Trials: Clinical trials provide access to promising new therapies and treatment approaches that may not yet be widely available.
- Supportive and Palliative Care: Nutritional support, symptom management, pain control, and psychosocial services can help improve quality of life throughout treatment.
At the GW Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary team of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists, nutrition specialists, and supportive care professionals works together to develop personalized treatment plans for patients with gastric cancer. Access to clinical trials and innovative therapies helps ensure that patients receive comprehensive, individualized care.
