What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric (stomach) cancer starts in the lining of the stomach. It’s a slow-growing cancer that often develops without noticeable symptoms in early stages. Early detection improves treatment success, so knowing the risks and symptoms is crucial.
Common Symptoms of Gastric Cancer
Digestive Issues :
- Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort (upper/middle abdomen).
- Bloating, indigestion, or gas
- Feeling full after eating small amounts
Difficulty swallowing (food feels stuck)
Chest discomfort
Acidity / GERD
Unexplained Changes:
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue or weakness.
Bleeding or Anemia/ Low haemoglobin/ Low blood level:
- Blood in vomit(looks like coffee grounds/ Fresh blood)
- Black, tarry stools - Stool colour changes from spectrum of gray - black - red based on severity of bleed.
- Anemia (pale skin, dizziness).
Other Signs :
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling in the abdomen
Jaundice (yellowing of eyes/skin, if cancer spreads to the liver)
Bone pains
When to See a Doctor
- If symptoms persist for >2 weeks
- If you have risk factors (family history, H. pylori, smoking).
- Don’t ignore “silent” symptoms - Early detection saves lives and cures cancer without surgery or chemotherapy / Radiation therapy
Causes & Risk Factors
- H. pylori infection
- Age >50
- Family history of cancer
- Diet :Smoked, salty, pickled, Fatty foods.
- Smoking/alcohol
- Obesity
- Previous stomach conditions(gastritis, polyps).
Diagnosis at Dr Santhosh Gastro and Liver Centre.
Advanced endoscopy- High quality Skilled endoscopy makes a huge difference in detection and treating gastric / stomach cancer without surgery. Our centre is equipped with High quality recent most advanced endoscopy which contain LCI / BLI mode to detect cancer changes even before it appears visible I n regular endoscopy.
Take away point
A skilled endoscopist with a high-quality endoscopy system is worth its weight in gold.
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.”
Remember, when it comes to your health, settle for nothing but the best.
Choose quality, choose expertise, choose high-definition endoscopy in our centre.
- Biopsy
- CT/MRI/PET scans
- Blood tests (tumor markers).
Treatment options
1. Endoscopic Resection (Non-Invasive Treatment)
What is it? Or can gastric cancer / Stomach cancer treated without surgery ??
A painless, scarless procedure to remove early-stage gastric tumors using an endoscope.
How it Works?
- No cuts or stitches
- Local anesthesia (you’re awake but comfortable).
- Procedure time: 30–60 minutes
- Recovery: 1–2 days in hospital
Ideal For?
- Small, localized tumors
- Early-stage cancer (T1a)
Benefits?
- No scars
- Less pain, faster recovery
- Lower risk of complications
What to Expect?
Yes Gastric / Stomach cancer can be removed completely without surgery with high quality endoscope and highly skilled endoscopic surgeon.
- Pre-procedure : Fasting (6 hours), blood tests.
- Post-procedure : Mild discomfort, soft diet for 1–2 weeks.
Risks?
- Bleeding, infection, perforation (<1%, managed by experts).
2. Surgery (Minimally Invasive & Open)
What is it?
Surgery to remove cancerous parts of the stomach.
Types
Laparoscopic/Robotic :
- Tiny incisions(5–10 mm).
- Less pain, 3–5 days hospital stay
- Recovery: 1–2 weeks
Open Surgery
- For advanced tumors
- Recovery: 4–6 weeks
Procedure Details
- Partial gastrectomy : Remove part of the stomach.
- Total gastrectomy : Remove entire stomach.
- Reconstruction : Connect remaining organs.
What to Expect
- Pre-surgery tests, counseling, diet plan.
- Post-surgery : Pain management, gradual diet.
Risks
- Infection, bleeding, digestive changes
3. Chemotherapy
What is it?
Medicines to shrink tumors (before surgery) or kill remaining cells (after surgery).
How it Works
- Oral/IV therapy
- Targeted (HER2, PD-L1)
- Duration: 3–6 months
Side Effects
- Nausea, fatigue, hair loss (managed with medication).
4. Radiation Therapy
What is it?
Precise radiation to target cancer cells.
- 5–6 weeks (daily)
- Side effects : Mild skin irritation, fatigue.
What to Expect
- Planning scan (1 hour)
- Sessions: 10–30 minutes
5. Palliative Care
Services
- Pain management
- Nutrition
- Counseling
For
- Advanced cancer
- Post-treatment recovery
6. Immunotherapy & Clinical Trials
What is it?
Boosts immune system to fight cancer
For
- Advanced cases
- Ongoing trials
Possible Complications of Gastric Cancer
Untreated cancer :
- Spread to organs (liver, lungs).
- Obstruction
- Bleeding
- Malnutrition
Post-treatment risks
- Dumping syndrome
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Emotional stress
Treatment Success Rates
- Early stage: 90% 5-year survival
- Regional: 30–50%
- Metastatic: 6–10%
- 500+ surgeries, <1% complications
- 95% success in early-stage cases
Reduce Your Risk
- Eat balanced meals
- Limit processed foods
- Quit smoking/alcohol
- Treat H. pylori
- Screening if family history
