Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer care from an experienced team that focuses on you.

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It’s easy to dismiss the signs of stomach cancer symptoms because they are similar to other, more common conditions, like a stomach bug. But if you have symptoms that won’t quit, turn to the cancer care team at Nuvance Health® Cancer Institute. You have convenient access to care, including advanced testing, leading treatments and robust support services, right in your community.

What is Stomach Cancer?

Also known as gastric cancer, this condition occurs when abnormal growths form in the lining of your stomach. As cancer progresses, these growths may invade deeper layers of stomach tissue or spread to other areas. You face a higher risk of stomach cancer if you use tobacco or are overweight. Some types of stomach cancer are passed down in families.

Gastric Cancer Care at Nuvance Health: Why Choose Us?

Stomach cancer symptoms can be easy to miss. The sooner you start treatment, the better. In regular meetings called tumor boards, the team meticulously plans the therapies and treatments that are right for your needs. You have a team of gastrointestinal specialists, nurses and therapists working together to personalize your care. Highlights of our program include:

  • Experience:

    We regularly care for gastric cancer patients enabling us to quickly determine the appropriate course of care. The specialists routinely perform procedures, including endoscopic mucosal resection for early-stage cancers that are gentler on your body. Our surgical specialists also offer the latest surgical approach to treating cancer including robotic surgeries. Read more about cancer surgery.

  • Diagnosis and assessment:
    Your care starts with an assessment using leading imaging technologies. If you have a family history of gastric cancer, genetic testing provides additional information for planning treatments. Find out more about diagnosis.
  • Care for rare cancers:

    The team excels in treating rare cancers, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and gastric lymphomas. You have access to a broad range of therapies, including surgery or targeted therapy.

  • Clinical trials:
    The specialists lead research that’s advancing care for many types of gastrointestinal cancer. These options give hope to eligible patients for whom traditional treatments are not successful. Get more information about cancer clinical trials and research.
  • Support:
    We are with you throughout your care experience. Cancer nurse navigators assist many patients by coordinating appointments and explaining what to expect. Additional support services, which include assistance from cancer social workers, help make living with cancer a little less stressful for you and your loved ones.

Stomach Cancer Symptoms

Stomach cancer symptoms include:

  • Feeling full after eating smaller than usual amounts of food
  • Change in bowel habits, including blood in your stools
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unusual bloating or heartburn
  • Unexpected weight loss

Diagnosing Gastric Cancer

We take careful steps to assess stomach cancer symptoms, including:

  • Upper endoscopy: We assess suspicious growths using a long, thin tube with a camera and instruments at the tip (endoscope). This procedure may also include a biopsy to take a tissue sample. The team includes endoscopy specialists, so you can count on us for a thorough evaluation.
  • Pathology review: Pathologists evaluate biopsy samples under a microscope to confirm a cancer diagnosis and its severity. Some pathologists specialize in gastrointestinal issues such as cancer, which helps us make a careful diagnosis.
  • Imaging studies: You may need an X-ray that uses a special dye to highlight abnormal cells. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans provide 3-D digital images for detailed views of your stomach and the cancer.
  • Genomic testing: This option checks for specific changes (mutations) in cancer cell genes. We use this information to plan treatments, which include specific drugs for stopping cancer with that mutation.
  • Diagnostic laparoscopy: This outpatient procedure helps the care team determine cancer severity (cancer stage), so you receive appropriate care. We make a small incision and insert tiny camera and other sophisticated instruments to assess suspicious growths.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Your personalized care plan may include:

  • Chemotherapy and other medical treatments: Chemotherapy drugs prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Additional medical therapies may include immunotherapy, which helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. Get more information about chemotherapy and other medical oncology.
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection: This technique removes early-stage cancers on the surface layers of stomach tissue. Using an endoscope instead of incisions to access the cancer preserves more healthy tissue.
  • Radiation therapy: This option destroys cancer cells using beams of high-energy radiation. This treatment may relieve severe symptoms, such as bleeding or pain that does not respond to other treatments. Find out more about radiation therapy.
  • Surgery: A surgical procedure may be necessary to remove cancers that extend into deeper layers of stomach tissue. Eligible patients have minimally invasive procedures, that use tiny incisions and are less disruptive to healthy tissue. Find out more about surgical oncology.
  • Supportive care: You have access to range of services to help you get relief from the side effects of treatment and prevent complications. The team includes a cancer nutritionist who assists you in maintaining a healthy weight even if you’re having difficulty eating. Get more information about supportive care.


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