Stomach Cancer
Expert, Compassionate Cancer Care from Mercy
The cancer experts at Mercy are ready to treat your stomach cancer with the most advanced technologies available. We believe the most effective treatment Is often developed when experts from different areas of medicine collaborate to customize your care to your specific needs. At Mercy, we use this collaborative approach to ensure that your treatment plan considers your whole being, and our multispecialty team is here to support you with compassionate care throughout your cancer journey.
What is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer (or gastric cancer) begins in the lining of the stomach and typically develops slowly, often with no symptoms in the early stages. If left untreated, it can form a tumor, which can eventually spread to nearby organs, like your liver and lymph nodes.
Causes of Stomach Cancer
The causes of stomach cancer are not completely clear. It appears that stomach cancer may start with an injury to the inside lining of the stomach, perhaps from an infection, prolonged acid reflux or even too much salt in your diet. Leading experts believe these injuries cause the cells to mutate, or change their DNA, enabling them to multiply more quickly and live longer. These extra cells group together to produce a tumor, which can destroy healthy body tissue and spread to other parts of the body, or metastasize.
Stomach Cancer Symptoms
Stomach cancer symptoms often don’t appear until the cancer is in an advanced stage. Common symptoms include:
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Belly pain
- Black stools
- Feeling bloated or unexpectedly full
- Loss of appetite
- Unexpected weight loss
- Exhaustion
Mercy Offers Leading-Edge Treatments for Stomach Cancer
The right combination of knowledge and technology can make all the difference in your cancer treatment. Mercy has several treatment options to choose from in creating the most effective care plan for you:
- Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery: Mercy stands out from other cancer centers by offering minimally invasive total and partial gastrectomies for cancer of the stomach.
- Radiation, Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Options: Focused radiation therapy like SBRT and CyberKnife, as well as precision chemotherapy, are changing the way treatment is delivered and lessening the side effects that come with it.
- Genomic Testing – Mercy doctors can now examine gene mutations in your cancer to predict how it might act, and which treatments might work best.
Trust Mercy With Your Cancer Treatment
Stomach cancer is challenging, but you can trust your Mercy care team to strive every day to achieve the best possible outcome for you.