Stomach Cancer Treatment

There are two types of treatments for stomach cancer:

• Local treatments
• Systemic treatments

You may receive both types of treatments or only one type. We will determine your specific treatment plan based on:

• Type, size and location of the tumor
• Results of lab tests
• Stage of the disease
• Your age and overall health

Stomach Cancer Treatments: Local Treatments vs. Systemic Treatments

We create an individualized treatment plan for you based on your medical history and the extent of the disease.

• Local treatment: Affects cells in the tumor and the area immediately surrounding the tumor. Surgery and radiation therapy are examples of local treatment for stomach cancer. We use local treatments to remove, destroy or control cancer cells.
• Systemic treatment: Reaches cells throughout the body by traveling through the bloodstream. Chemotherapy is an example of a systemic treatment. We use systemic treatments to destroy or control cancer cells.

Stomach Cancer Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for stomach cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor and any cancer cells that may have spread (metastasized) to nearby tissue. Depending on the stage of the cancer, surgery may be the only treatment that you need. You may have surgery before or after another treatment.

Targeted Therapies for Stomach Cancer

Targeted therapies for stomach cancer can attack cancer cells without affecting healthy tissue, unlike radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Learn more about targeted therapies.

Biologic Therapy for Stomach Cancer

Biologic therapy is treatment with substances that are made naturally in the body or that can block the growth of cancer cells. This approach minimizes the side effects associated with traditional treatments like chemotherapy. Biologic therapies can help:

• Boost the body's ability to fight the disease
• Direct the immune system to target diseased cells
• Strengthen a weakened immune system

Learn more about biologic therapy.