It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you hear the words ‘stomach cancer’ for the first time. Knowing your options helps with the distraction.
Good thing recent advancements in medicine and expertise in cancer care make the treatment and recovery for stomach cancer quite effective in both, quality and life.
This blog outlines the stages of treatment and recovery and the reason for consulting one of the best stomach cancer doctors in Gurugram, Dr. Pooja Babbar for a customized treatment plan.
Understanding Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer or gastric cancer, initially forms in the stomach lining and can spread to other organs if not treated early.
It commonly arises progressively over time and its development is typically associated with a poor diet, smoking, chronic stomach inflammation or H. pylori bacterial infection.
Preliminary symptoms may be indefinable or may even present as light dyspepsia, abdominal distention or slight pain.
This is precisely why stomach cancer is, at times, diagnosed in the advanced stages. Regular screenings and consultations with an oncologist can improve outcomes remarkably.
Diagnosis: The First Step Toward Treatment
Stomach cancer means the doctor has to check the different stages and confirm the disease. This involves:
- Endoscopy– Looking the stomach and lining and getting some tissues for biopsy.
- CT Scan or PET Scan– Identifying if the cancer has spread.
- Blood Work– Looking for general well being and tumor markers.
- Biopsy– This is one of the most definitive to confirm the type and grade of the cancer.
Knowing the right cancer diagnosis is important to help the oncologist for an effective and suitable treatment strategy for you.
Types of Stomach Cancer Treatments
How a person copes with stomach cancer really depends on how advanced it is, on how the patient is feeling and on the patients choices. Here are the most common ways stomach cancer is treated today:
1. Chemotherapy
As the name suggests, chemotherapy treats cancer by administering anticancer drugs. Chemotherapy can take place before surgery (to shrink the tumor), after surgery (to prevent recurrence) or when surgery is not an option and the patient’s primary treatment is cancer.
2. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is newer approach helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It’s particularly helpful in advanced stages or recurrent cases.
3. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses X-rays to attempt to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is also used after chemotherapy or to finish contrary remaining cancer cells after surgery.
4. Targeted therapy
Unlike the other types of therapy, targeted therapy aims to specific genes or proteins that cancer cells utilize to multiply. Consequently, targeted therapy creates a more focused and less damaging treatment.
5. Surgery
For early or localized stages, surgery is still one of the first and main treatment choices. The surgeon will decide if they should remove a section of the stomach or the whole stomach. This is referred to as subtotal or total gastrectomy. Other times, the surgeon may remove some of the lymph nodes which are close to the stomach to stop cancer from spreading.
What to Expect During Stomach Cancer Treatment
Here is what treatment may include:
- Hospital stay - For some surgeries, hospitalization is required for 5 - 10 days, depending on the recovery.
- Side effects - There may be some fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite from the chemotherapy and radiation which can be effectively managed with supportive care.
- Dietary changes - After stomach surgery, patients are instructed to eat smaller, more frequent meals and the importance of proper nutrition is emphasized.
- Follow-up care - The recovery process involves regular follow-up appointments and scans to monitor recovery, as well as the detection of any recurrence.
Why Choosing the Right Oncologist Matters
Having the right treatment when battling cancer is important.
Dr. Pooja Babbar is someone you should consider for personalized and evidence-based cancer treatment as you look for the best stomch cancer doctor in Gurgaon.
Dr. Pooja Babbar, one of the best medical oncologists in Gurgaon, secures the right treatment combinations for every patient in a way that sustains their most valued quality of life.
Her caring disposition, the patient-oriented approach and the grasp of advanced targeted and immunotherapies gained her a commendable reputation in cancer management.
Conclusion
Getting told that you have stomach cancer can be terrifying and there is good reason to be hopeful. Active treatment and specialized care along with quick action can really boost your recovery odds.
The first milestones of cancer care to more advanced procedures for stomach cancer help in improving the patience overall comfort along with the survival rate.
Contact Dr. Pooja Babbar for more specialized and considerate care in Gurgaon who is one of the top oncologists for a complete evaluation and treatment plan.
With the right guidance and swift action, recovery is truly possible.
FAQs for Stomach Cancer Treatment
1. What are the best treatments for stomach cancer?
The best treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapies and immunotherapy which all depend on the stage.
2. How long will stomach cancer treatment last?
It can be for months or weeks for the surgery recovery and several months for the chemotherapy or the chemotherapy and other treatments combined.
3. Can stomach cancer be completely cured?
Yes, many patients after early treatment and diagnosis go on to live a long and healthy life after treatment.
4. What is a stomach cancer medical procedure?
It is the surgical removal of all or part of a stomach which is a gastrectomy and it is combined with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
