Stomach cancer is usually treatable when diagnosed in the initial stages.
Stomach cancer can spread in organs such as liver, lungs or distant lymph nodes. Knowing the stage of stomach cancer helps determine the highly-effective treatment options.
The severity of stomach cancer can be determined by how hundreds of Americans have filed for stomach cancer lawsuits after having controversial heartburn medicines such as Zantac. Having a Zantac cancer attorney by your side can help win the best possible compensation for the medical bills and treatment.
But the biggest question remains over the survivability of stomach cancer patients. To understand that better, let’s dig out more information…
Risks To Avoid
Stomach cancer is most prevalent in Japan, South America, China, and Eastern Europe.
Following factors increase the risk of developing stomach cancer:
Smoking
Family history of cancer
Genetic disorders
Stomach conditions – Gastric epithelial dysplasia, Ménétrier disease, Intestinal metaplasia
Salty foods
Obesity
Alcohol
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Lack of regular physical activity
Bariatric surgery
If you’re at a heightened risk of developing stomach cancer or already a fourth-stage cancer patient, there are treatment options worth considering. Do not hesitate to communicate with your doctor about the new symptoms being developed.
Stomach Cancer Treatment Options To Consider
Why stage 4 stomach cancer is harder to treat is because it is no longer confined to the stomach and involves other parts of the body. The goal of treatment is to control the growth of cancer in other organs.
Usually, the treatment for stomach cancer involves a combination of therapies.
Chemotherapy
Considered to be the primary treatment for stage 4, the treatment ignites a sense of hope among the cancer patients and their families. Chemotherapy can be given as a single drug or a mix of two or more drugs.
Common chemotherapy options available are here as under:
Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Methotrexate
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Irinotecan (Camptosar)
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
Etoposide (Vepesid)
Laser Therapy
To destroy tumors or relieve stomach blockage, laser therapy is used. A doctor injects a long flexible tube known as an endoscope right into the stomach to deliver the laser beam. It is also known as endoscopic tumor ablation.
In fact, sometimes hollow tubes known as a stent may help too. By putting a stent between the stomach and the esophagus, it will be easier for the food to pass.
Targeted Therapy
It improves the functioning of your immune system and attacks advanced cancer in an effective way. It treats specific areas of stomach cancer. Some of them are as follows:
Ramucirumab for stage 4 stomach cancer when other procedures proved to be ineffective.
Imatinib, Regorafenib and Sunitinib for stromal tumors.
Trastuzumab for HER2-positive tumors.
Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy may be given for stage 4 stomach cancer. It is sometimes used alone or in combination with chemotherapy as it varies with the patient’s medical condition.
The therapy might be used to alleviate stomach cancer symptoms such as pain, bleeding in the stomach, blockage or trouble swallowing.
Survival After Stage 4 Stomach Cancer?
Surviving through stage 4 is not easy, but definitely not something which is not possible. Many patients show incredible courage and zeal to live even when diagnosed during the last stages.
Everyone responds in a different way to these treatments and there exists no way to determine how your body is going to behave after any treatment or drug.
The survival rate is dependent on the stage of diagnosis as well. Sooner the better is the mantra here.
Advances made in the cancer treatments so far. The relative survival rate for all stages of stomach cancer is 31.5% as per the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program.
Key Takeaway
Innovations and latest growth in medical technologies have shown hope to cancer stage 4 patients and the affected families. Stay in touch with your doctor and other advanced health care specialists to find the best course of treatment for your family member or friend.
Do let us know if you have any recommendations for stomach cancer treatments anywhere in the world.
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