Stomach Cancer Treatment in Utah
Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is rare in the United States but is the second leading cause of cancer death in much of the rest of the world. The majority of stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop in the gland cells of the stomach’s lining.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer:
Stomach cancer often does not have symptoms in the early stages. When signs do appear, they may be mistaken for less serious problems such as indigestion or heartburn. This means stomach cancer is often not found until its advanced stages.
Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Heartburn, indigestion or ulcer-type symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Feeling of fullness after eating small amounts of food
- Bloody or black stools
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
These symptoms do not always mean you have stomach cancer. However, if you notice any of them for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor. Even if they are not signs of cancer, they may signal other health problems.
Stomach Cancer Treatment Options:
If you are diagnosed with stomach cancer, your doctor will discuss the best options to treat it. This will depend on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor and your general health.
One or more of the following therapies may be recommended to treat the cancer or help relieve symptoms.
- Surgery is the most common treatment for stomach cancer, many times combined with chemotherapy and radiation.
- Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells, including cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy uses focused, high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy recruits the patient’s own immune system in the fight against cancer.
- Targeted therapy works by stopping or slowing the growth or spread of cancer.