GASTROClear
Gastric Cancer Treatment
Know the warning signs and seek professional help to fight cancer early.
Types of treatment for gastric cancer
Gastric cancer may be managed by various treatment types, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Descriptions of these treatment approaches are given below.
- Surgery (partial or total gastrectomy): This involves removing either a part of or the whole stomach, depending on the extent of cancer growth. For very small cancers, a nonsurgical approach may be used (known as endoscopic resection) for removal of the tumor using an endoscopic tube to view and access the digestive tract.
- Radiotherapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in the part of the body that is treated.
- Chemotherapy: Intravenous or oral administration of drugs that kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth.
- Chemoradiation: A strong treatment regimen combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: Administering drugs that activate the immune system to target cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: The use of drugs that target specific genes or proteins involved in cancer growth and spread, thereby enabling them to precisely identify and attack certain types of cancer cells.
Treatment depends on tumor stage
Treatment plans are based on various factors including the cancer location, stage, aggressiveness, and the patient’s overall health condition and preference.healthcare specialists for specific concerns.
As the tumor evolves, treatment regimens may also change to suit each patient’s needs.
Shown below is what patients might expect at different gastric cancer stages.
- Stage 0 (pre-malignant): Tumor removal via surgery or endoscopic therapy to control cancer growth and lower the risk of further spread.
- Stage 1: Endoscopic therapy, surgery, and/or chemoradiation therapy. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy may be prescribed.
- Stage 2 and 3: Surgery, chemotherapy, and/or chemoradiation therapy may be used in combination or in succession.
- Stage 4: Palliative care may be recommended, involving chemotherapy or radiation therapy to relieve symptoms. Immunotherapy or targeted therapy may also be used.
How can GASTROClear lead to more effective treatment?
Gastric cancer is curable if detected early. Close to 90% of patients diagnosed with stage -1 gastric cancer have good outcomes with curative treatment. However, the survival rate drops to less than 20% for a patient diagnosed with stage-4 gastric cancer.
GASTROClear is a blood test – the first of its kind in the world – designed to detect gastric cancer in people who may be at risk but are not yet experiencing any symptoms. Regular screening can increase the chances of detecting gastric cancer in the early stages, so that timely life-saving treatment can be administered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gastric cancer?
Gastric cancer is a disease in which malignant, or cancerous, cells form in the lining of the stomach.
What are the first signs of stomach cancer?
The first signs of gastric cancer are often vague. Specifically, the signs may be heartburn, indigestion, a change in appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Are stomach cancer symptoms in women different than in men?
Men are at higher risk of gastric cancer than women. However, the signs and symptoms of gastric cancer are similar for men and women.
What are the early symptoms of stomach cancer?
Gastric cancer typically causes no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the disease advances, the symptoms are often vague and non-specific.
How can you prevent stomach cancer?
There is no sure way to prevent gastric cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your risk. These include staying at a healthy weight, maintaining a lifestyle with regular physical activity, avoiding or limiting alcohol, and keeping to a healthy diet.
Is stomach cancer curable?
Stomach cancer is curable if detected in the early stages.
What is a gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy, also known as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), is a procedure where a tube with a light and camera on it is used to look for any physical changes on the surface of the upper digestive tract.
What is the preparation for a gastroscopy?
You are required to fast for at least 6 hours before the procedure to ensure that your stomach is completely empty.
Does the GASTROClear test need any special preparation?
No special preparation is needed for the GASTROClear test, which only requires a simple blood draw.
Can gastric cancer be diagnosed without biopsy?
No. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but a confirmed diagnosis is only possible with a biopsy.
Is there a genetic predisposition for gastric cancer?
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is a rare inherited condition associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The gene most commonly associated with HDGC is called CDH1. A mutation (alteration) in the CDH1 gene gives a person an increased risk of developing gastric cancer.
Where can you get tested?
The GASTROClear test is available at over 200 clinics and hospitals in Singapore.