Specific treatment for stomach cancer will be determined by your physician based on:
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your age, overall health, and medical history
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extent of the disease
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your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
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expectations for the course of the disease
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your opinion or preference
Treatment for stomach cancer may include:
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surgery
Surgery may be necessary to remove cancerous tissue, as well as nearby noncancerous tissue. The most common operation is called gastrectomy. If part of the stomach is removed, it is called a subtotal or partial gastrectomy. If the entire stomach is removed, it is called a total gastrectomy.
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external radiation (external beam therapy)
External radiation precisely sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. The machine is controlled by the radiation therapist. Since radiation is used to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors, special shields may be used to protect the tissue surrounding the treatment area. Radiation treatments are painless and usually last a few minutes. External radiation may be used to ease (palliate) symptoms such as pain or blockage.
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chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. The oncologist will recommend a treatment plan for each individual.
Sometimes, several of these treatments may be combined to treat stomach cancer.