More options, better outcomes
The treatment plan that’s best for your cancer will depend on several variables, including your general health and your cancer’s stage, grade and unique characteristics, such as expression of HER2 Neu protein.
The stomach cancer care team, including gastrointestinal surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, plus gastroenterologists and other specialists will meet to discuss your case and determine the best course of action to offer you. In general, treatment for stomach cancer includes the following treatment methods — and many patients require combination therapy — which involves two or more of these approaches.
Metastatic cancer
When stomach cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells, and the same name, as the primary (original) tumor. The most common site for stomach cancer to metastasize is the peritoneum, followed by the liver and lungs. The disease is called distant or metastatic stomach cancer, and it’s treated as stomach cancer.
When cancer spreads to your liver
When cancer spreads from its original location to the liver, these new tumors, called liver metastases, need special treatment. Roswell Park offers innovative and advanced therapies unavailable elsewhere in the region that can improve survival and potentially cure the disease.
If you’ve been told your liver metastases cannot be removed surgically or are inoperable or unresectable, please contact us and ask for a second opinion from the liver metastases team.
We offer additional advanced treatments for metastatic stomach cancer, including:
- Radiofrequency (RFA) and microwave ablation: For metastases in the liver or lung. A small probe inserted into the tumor springs open like an umbrella, and emits radio waves or microwaves that heat the tissue, killing cancer cells. These are minimally invasive technique, performed as an outpatient procedure.
- NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation (IRE): This newest ablation technology sends high-voltage electricity into the tumor, without injuring critical nearby blood vessels.
- Cytoreductive Surgery /Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion (CS/HIPEC): This treatment for abdominal metastases begins with surgery to remove as much tumor tissue as possible. Heated chemotherapy drugs are then circulated throughout the abdomen. Because the drugs stay in the abdominal cavity, higher doses can be used, improving effectiveness and reducing side effects.