Treatment for stomach cancer

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

The treatment you have for stomach cancer depends on the stage of your cancer. You might have one or more treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted cancer drugs or radiotherapy. 

The type of surgery you need depends on where the cancer is in your stomach and the stage of your cancer.

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer. You might have it before or after surgery for stomach cancer, or as your main treatment if your cancer is advanced.

Radiotherapy uses high energy waves to kill cancer cells. You usually have it with chemotherapy, or you might have it to help with symptoms of advanced cancer.

You might have targeted or immunotherapy cancer drugs for stomach cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced stomach cancer).

Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted drugs or stents can sometimes help reduce symptoms and make you feel better.

A stent is a small metal or plastic tube used to relieve a blockage in the lower part of the stomach. 

Laser therapy uses hot beams of light to burn away cancer cells. This can help control symptoms of advanced stomach cancer. 

Find out about follow up appointments and tests after treatment for stomach cancer.