There are several different options available for treating stomach cancer. It depends largely on what stage the cancer has progressed to and the health of the individual needing treatment. It is also important to know how large the cancer is and exactly where it is located. Therefore, stomach cancer treatment is highly individualized and based on each case and which treatment is the most favored for the individual.
Since there are several variables which can be rather complicated to sort through, it is best to get a second or even a third opinion before deciding on which stomach cancer treatment is desired. This is a wise decision regarding diagnosis and treatment options. It is a common practice in the health care field and your doctor will most likely recommend at least a second opinion just to stay on the safe side.
Surgery is a very often the most recommended treatment for stomach cancer. There are basically two types of gastrectomies, total or partial. A total gastrectomy is a surgical options in which the entire stomach is removed. The esophagus and the small intestine are then directly attached. A partial gastrectomy removes only the part of the stomach which is affected.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also options. Chemotherapy is a process where drugs are used to destroy cancer cells in the body. They either kill the abnormal cells or at least keep them from growing any further.
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and reduces the size of tumors by using powerful x-rays. Radiation therapy may be either an internal or external procedure. External radiation therapy uses rays and attacks the cancer from the outside of the body whereas internal radiation therapy places the radiation materials directly into the body. Internal radiation can be placed directly in the affected area.
Immunotherapy or biological therapy is a fourth tactic that is used for stomach cancer treatment. This method uses the immune system to attack cancer cells. This therapy is still very experimental but seems to be affective. There are two types of immunotherapy. One method uses stimulants to motivate the immune system to work.
The other procedure takes like cancer cells from another victim and destroys them using irradiation. They are then injected into the body. This causes the body's immune system to create antibodies that will then attack the living cancer cells in their body.
Since there are several variables which can be rather complicated to sort through, it is best to get a second or even a third opinion before deciding on which stomach cancer treatment is desired. This is a wise decision regarding diagnosis and treatment options. It is a common practice in the health care field and your doctor will most likely recommend at least a second opinion just to stay on the safe side.
Surgery is a very often the most recommended treatment for stomach cancer. There are basically two types of gastrectomies, total or partial. A total gastrectomy is a surgical options in which the entire stomach is removed. The esophagus and the small intestine are then directly attached. A partial gastrectomy removes only the part of the stomach which is affected.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also options. Chemotherapy is a process where drugs are used to destroy cancer cells in the body. They either kill the abnormal cells or at least keep them from growing any further.
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and reduces the size of tumors by using powerful x-rays. Radiation therapy may be either an internal or external procedure. External radiation therapy uses rays and attacks the cancer from the outside of the body whereas internal radiation therapy places the radiation materials directly into the body. Internal radiation can be placed directly in the affected area.
Immunotherapy or biological therapy is a fourth tactic that is used for stomach cancer treatment. This method uses the immune system to attack cancer cells. This therapy is still very experimental but seems to be affective. There are two types of immunotherapy. One method uses stimulants to motivate the immune system to work.
The other procedure takes like cancer cells from another victim and destroys them using irradiation. They are then injected into the body. This causes the body's immune system to create antibodies that will then attack the living cancer cells in their body.
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