Stomach Cancer

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Studies have found no evidence that routine screening for stomach cancer in people of average risk is helpful for early diagnosis. As such, there are no recommendations for stomach cancer screening in the United States. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your risk factors and whether you might benefit from screening.

Stomach cancer is diagnosed through a discussion with your doctor about your medical history and risk factors, a physical exam, and often an endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a physician uses a thin tube with a camera to examine your throat and stomach. Any areas suspicious of cancer can be biopsied during an endoscopy.

Developing a Stomach Cancer Treatment Plan

New cases of stomach cancer are presented at UI Health's weekly multidisciplinary tumor board, where experts from all specialties are present, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, gastroenterology, and surgical oncology, among others. The tumor board reviews each patient's case and expedites the treatment process.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Treatment of stomach cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient's age, and other risk factors and health problems.

Treatments offered at UI Health for stomach cancer include:

• Surgery: Surgical resection is a standard treatment for stomach cancer that is localized and has not spread to any other part of the body. At UI Health, we aim to use minimally invasive, robotic techniques for resection surgery. Depending on the location of the cancer, surgery may involve the removal of either a portion of or the entire stomach. Our advanced gastroenterologists may also be able to remove very small tumors using endoscopy.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often administered to most patients with stomach cancer. Chemotherapy attacks cancer cells. It comes in both oral and intravenous (IV) forms. Most stomach adenocarcinomas will benefit from some IV chemotherapy.
• Radiation oncology: Radiation therapy is frequently used in combination with chemotherapy to treat stomach cancer and can be used both before or after surgery. It can shrink a tumor before surgery, treat inoperable tumors, and help prevent recurrence after surgical removal or other treatments.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a viable treatment option for tumors with specific genetic features. This treatment harnesses a patient’s immune system to recognize and attack the cancer.
• Targeted therapy: UI Health offers therapy to treat specific stomach cancers with unique genetic mutations, including HER2-mutated tumors.

Clinical Trials

UI Health participates in institutional and national research and clinical trials, including those related to stomach cancer treatment. Eligibility for participation is based on a variety of factors. Patients should ask their physician about any relevant clinical trials.

Click here to search for open clinical trials.