There are several types of stomach cancer (gastric cancer), with adenocarcinoma accounting for approximately 90 to 95 percent of all gastric cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Adenocarcinoma develops in the cells which line your stomach. Treatment options vary depending on your overall health and stage of cancer.
Identification
All treatments are aimed at removing, reducing or eradicating your tumor. Potential treatments for adenocarcinoma include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or participating in available clinical trials.
Surgical Goals
Surgery may be limited to simply removing the tumor (if it is small enough) or removing all or part of your stomach, depending on the extent of the gastric cancer's growth.
Side Effects of Surgery
Side effects associated with surgery include infection and bleeding. If you have had a portion or all of your stomach removed, you may also experience diarrhea, vomiting and a rapid filling of your small intestine with undigested food (dumping syndrome).
Chemotherapy and Radiation
Radiation therapy uses highly powered energy beams to either shrink your tumor before surgery or to eradicate any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Chemotherapy uses medications to eradicate cancer cells throughout your body, including those that may have metastasized (spread) outside of your stomach.
Side Effects of Treatment
Side effects of radiation include vomiting, nausea, indigestion and diarrhea. Chemotherapy side effects vary in accordance with the medication that is used but may include nausea, fatigue and possible hair loss.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials study new treatments and give participants an opportunity to try the most innovative treatment options.
Tags: your stomach, cancer cells, gastric cancer, your tumor
