Stomach cancer treatment

Treatment of stomach cancer depends on a variety of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, as well as your overall health and personal preferences. At Advocate Health Care, our goal is keep you feeling well throughout treatment without major changes to your usual routine.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

Comprehensive approach

Advanced detection technology

Advocate is one of few medical providers in the Chicago region that uses endoscopic ultrasound (also called EUS or endosonography) for staging and removal of tumors in the stomach. This non-surgical technique can find tumors measuring 1 cm – too tiny to be detected by CT scan –  and can determine whether or not cancer has invaded lymph nodes. 

When performed before surgery, endoscopic ultrasound reveals details that are significant for planning the most appropriate treatment, and whether chemotherapy or radiation therapy should be considered before surgery or whether surgery should be avoided because of lymph node involvement.

Types of surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for stomach cancer:

• Partial Gastrectomy: A portion of the stomach is removed as well as part of the esophagus, small intestine or lymph nodes.
• Total gastrectomy: The entire stomach is removed as well as part of the esophagus, small intestine and lymph nodes.

Multi-disciplinary team

Patients at Advocate benefit from the collaboration of many specialists who have expertise in a broad range of areas, yet all dedicated to providing the best solutions to diagnose and treat cancers of the digestive system. and others work collaboratively to consider all perspectives before recommending a treatment plan tailored to each individual's situation. Your team may include:

• Gastroenterologists
• GI surgeons
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Pathologists
• Oncology nurses

Need a second opinion?

One of our experts can confirm a diagnosis, review your treatment plan or explore alternate options, if needed.

Learn about our Second Opinion Program.