Gastric/ Stomach Cancer

Overview

Approximately 25,000 cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. There are many potential risk factors for stomach cancer, which can include: tobacco use, dietary factors (e.g. high intake of nitroso compounds), helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, and genetic predisposition. Diagnosis of gastric cancer is typically made by a biopsy, done during an upper endoscopic examination of the esophagus. Once a diagnosis of gastric cancer is established, imaging studies are often performed to help determine the cancer stage.

Treatment Options

Determination of the appropriate treatment for gastric cancer may require evaluation by a surgeon and/or medical oncologist and/or other specialists. Consultation with an oncologist is often needed, to help coordinate an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment options includes surgery, radiation neoadjuant or perioperative chemotherapy, chemoradiation, or chemotherapy alone for metastatic disease. Chemotherapy agents used include 5-FU, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, antracyclines, and taxanes.

Gastric/ Stomach Cancer