Stomach Cancer

Stomach Cancer Treatment at Garnet Health

Being diagnosed with stomach cancer (gastric cancer) is a life-changing experience that may leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. At Garnet Health you’ll receive tailored treatment and comprehensive, compassionate support from cancer experts devoted to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. 

Garnet Health oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and other professionals work collaboratively to develop multidisciplinary care plans, which can include robotic-assisted surgery, targeted radiation therapy, trailblazing clinical trials and other leading-edge therapies. Our team also features patient navigators and palliative care specialists who will walk you through the various changes that a stomach cancer diagnosis can bring and clearly communicate what you can expect throughout the treatment process. 

Stomach Cancer Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Symptoms

Stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. As the cancer progresses, the following symptoms can occur:

• Trouble swallowing 
• Feeling unusually full after eating 
• Abdominal bloating 
• Unexplained weight loss
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Nausea   
• Belly pain, often above the navel 
• Bloody or dark-colored stools

Causes

The specific causes of stomach cancer are not fully understood. However, several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer have been identified. They include:

• A diet high in salty and smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
• Gastritis (stomach inflammation) 
• Obesity  
• Smoking 
• Men are at a greater risk 
• A family history of stomach cancer 
• A Helicobacter pylori infection

Stomach cancer is a rare condition, but it’s important to be mindful of symptoms if you have one or more stomach cancer risk factors. It’s also possible to develop stomach cancer without having any known risk factors. 

Treatment

Stomach cancer treatment often focuses on slowing the spread of cancer and relieving symptoms. The most common treatments for stomach cancer include: 

• Surgery to remove tumors, a portion of the stomach or the entire stomach 
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells 
• Targeted therapy to disrupt the processes that contribute to cancer growth 
• Palliative care to ease side effects of cancer and its treatment, making you more comfortable

Garnet Health provides specialized stomach cancer treatment to patients in Orange County, Sullivan County and nearby communities.