Gastric Cancer

• ​​A gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world. Most commonly, patients will present with a variety of symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing (especially for higher cancers). It is not uncommon for patients to present without symptoms at all. There are many risk factors for gastric cancer, including diets high in cured meat, excess alcohol, smoking, over weight and obesity. Chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and infection with a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori are well known risk factors for the development of gastric cancer.

​

• The correct diagnosis and staging (assessment of spread) for gastric cancer is very important. Similar to other types of abdominal cancers, patients may need to undergo any of the following:

  • Gastroscopy: allows visualisation of the gastric tumor, biopsy of the tumor and assessment of the tumor’s location within the stomach. The location of the tumor will determine the type of surgery that is most appropriate for treatment.

  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): an EUS is sometimes used to help in staging smaller tumors of the stomach.

  • CT scan: helps to assess cancer spread.

  • PET/CT scan: this can detect lesions in the body that may not be seen on other scans.

  • Laparoscopy: “key hole” procedure is nearly always performed to help in assessing possible spread of the cancer. This can be done prior to or at the time of planned surgery.

​​

• The treatment pathway is individualised to each patient based on the patient’s wishes, fitness, general health and the type and stage of cancer. Treatment options may include any of the following:​

  • Endoscopic resection (early stage cancers)

  • Chemotherapy

  • Minimally invasive and open surgery

​