Stomach Cancer

Though it is hard to diagnose stomach cancer, early diagnosis can help in beating the disease. The only way is to keep a watch for early signs and symptoms. These include:

• Indigestion
• Feeling bloated after you eat a meal
• Heartburn
• Slight nausea
• Loss of appetite

• Stomach pain
• Blood in urine or stool
• Frequent nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Trouble swallowing
• Yellowish eyes or skin
• Swelling in stomach
• Bloating
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Weakness or tiredness
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Loss of appetite Low red blood count (anaemia)

Max Institute of Cancer Care (MICC) is one of the leading facilities in India, which offers the latest treatments under surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Max Hospitals are one of the largest chains of Cancer Centres in North India, with presence in Saket, Patparganj, Shalimar Bagh, Vaishali, Mohali and Bathinda. The centres are highly efficient and offer dedicated daycare with all significant sub-specialities, disease management groups (DMG) that provide specialized care to the patients.

With over 100 oncologists, the care team for stomach cancer might include medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, thoracic surgeons, general surgeons, dietitians, medical geneticists, occupational therapists, palliative care experts, pharmacologists, physical therapists, and social workers. Max Institute of Cancer Care provides world-class treatment facilities and focused care to cure various types of oncological diseases. The facility has the best stomach cancer specialists. The surgeons are skilled in all surgical techniques, including subtotal gastrectomy, minimally invasive surgery, esophagectomy, and total gastrectomy.

Treatment options for stomach cancer might include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and others.

Our holistic cancer care includes the following:

• Adherence to the latest international cancer treatment protocols
• Superior cancer treatment technology: Max Institute of Cancer Care is the first facility in Northern India to acquire Novalis Tx for IMRT/IGRT, Radiosurgery, SRS/5RT. Other technologies at our disposal include Da Vinci XI Robotic System and Linear Accelerator (LINAC).
• Complete cancer care: Right from cancer screening, early detection, multidisciplinary treatment to rehabilitation.
• Dedicated daycare chemotherapy centres outside the hospital or in separate areas with chemo chairs-and-recliners, patient beds, a library, TV sets, and iPads are provided to take patients’ minds off from the treatment.
• A wider range of medical resources to draw from, with our multi-super speciality backups.

Tumor Board

There is a constant cross chat between the various specialities at the respective Disease Management Group (DMG) Tumor Board meeting regarding stomach cancer cases. The main motive behind which is to make the best skills available to patients. Meetings are held once a week to discuss the situation with patients and arrive at the best possible management. The surgical, medical and radiation specialists of the stomach cancer DMG along with the pathologists, radiologist and molecular oncologists attend these meetings. Discussion involves planning a procedure tailored to the patient according to the extent of the disease.

Before starting any treatment, the doctors at MICC will give you a physical exam. They will also ask about your medical history to see if you have any risk factors for stomach cancer or any family members who've had it. For stomach cancer, the diagnostic tests at MICC include:

• Blood tests - Blood samples are collected and tested for amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the stomach.
• Upper endoscopy - The doctor will put a thin, flexible tube with a small camera down your throat to examine your stomach.
• Barium swallow - The patient is made to drink a chalky liquid with a substance called barium. It coats the stomach making it possible to take an X-ray to diagnose the stage of the cancer.
• Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan) - This method is used to get detailed pictures of areas inside the body which are taken from different angles, and the images are printed on a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
• Biopsy - Removing cells or tissues and viewing under a microscope for diagnosing signs of cancer.

Max Institute of Cancer Care is equipped with cutting-edge technology with which our team of oncology experts offer holistic care to patients. Your treatment of stomach cancer depends on how long you've had the disease or how much it has spread in your body, called the stage of your cancer. Below are some common procedures used:

A) Surgery

Part of your stomach or other tissues nearby that have cancer cells will be removed. Surgery gets rid of the tumour and stops cancer from spreading to other parts of your body. If your disease is in a more advanced stage, the doctor might need to remove all of your stomach. The same surgery for the stomach can be done by Minimal Invasive Technique (Keyhole surgery).

B) Chemotherapy

Drugs kill your cancer cells or keep them from growing. You can take them as pills or through an IV at a clinic. Chemotherapy usually takes several weeks. The drugs can cause side effects, but your doctor can help you find ways to feel better during treatment.

C) Radiation

High-energy waves or particles can kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. Your doctor may use an X-ray or other machines to beam radiation at the spot where your tumour is.

D) Chemoradiation

Your doctor might use this mix of chemotherapy and radiation to shrink your tumour before surgery.

E) Targeted therapy

It is the use of powerful drugs to treat cancer cells. The newer drugs prescribed at Max Institute of Cancer Care are different because they fight only cancer cells.