Treatment options for stomach cancer
Factors affect chance of recovery and treatment options
.The stage of the cancer
-Whether it is in the stomach only or has spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body
.The patient’s general health
-When stomach cancer is found very early, there is a better chance of recovery. Stomach cancer is often in an advanced stage when it is diagnosed. At later stages, gastric cancer can be treated but rarely can be cured.
-Pancreatic cancer can be controlled only if it is found before it has spread, when it can be removed by surgery.
-If the cancer has spread, palliative treatment can improve the patient's quality of life by controlling the symptoms and complications of this disease.
.The 3 main types of treatment for stomach cancer are
.Stomach cancer is usually treated with 1 or more of the following:
-Surgery
-Radiation therapy
-Chemotherapy
-Surgery is the main treatment for
stomach cancer.
-Surgery is a common treatment of all stages of gastric cancer.
-Surgery may be used to remove the cancer and part or all of the stomach and some nearby lymph nodes, depending on the type and stage of stomach cancer.
There are 2 general types of surgery used for pancreatic cancer:
-Potentially curative surgery
Used when imaging tests suggest that it is possible to remove all the cancer.
Palliative surgery
-May be done if imaging tests show that the tumor is too widespread to be completely removed.
-This is done to relieve symptoms or to prevent certain complications like a blocked bile duct or intestinal tract.
.Subtotal gastrectomy
-Removal of the part of the stomach that contains cancer, nearby lymph nodes, and parts of other tissues and organs near the tumor.
-The spleen may be removed. The spleen is an organ in the upper abdomen that filters the blood and removes old blood cells.
.Total gastrectomy
-Removal of the entire stomach, nearby lymph nodes, and parts of the esophagus, small intestine, and other tissues near the tumor.
-The spleen may be removed.
The esophagus is connected to the small intestine so the patient can continue to eat and swallow.
.If the tumor is blocking the stomach but the cancer cannot be completely removed by standard surgery, the following procedures may be used:
-Endoluminal stent placement
-Endoluminal laser therapy
-Gastrojejunostomy
.Endoluminal stent placement
-A procedure to insert a stent (a thin, expandable tube) in order to keep a passage (such as arteries or the esophagus) open.
-For tumors blocking the passage into or out of the stomach, surgery may be done to place a stent from the esophagus to the stomach or from the stomach to the small intestine to allow the patient to eat normally.
.Endoluminal laser therapy
-A procedure in which an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) with a laser attached is inserted into the body.
-A laser is an intense beam of light that can be used as a knife.
.Gastrojejunostomy
-Surgery to remove the part of the stomach with cancer that is blocking the opening into the small intestine.
-The stomach is connected to the jejunem (a part of the small intestine) to allow food and medicine to pass from the stomach into the small intestine.
-Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
-Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are frequently used after surgery to reduce the risk of the tumor recurring, or coming back.
-Occasionally chemotherapy and radiation are given prior to surgery in an effort to reduce the tumor.
- When tumors cannot be removed surgically, chemotherapy can be used to slow the spread
-Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
-Chemoradiation therapy combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy to increase the effects of both.
.Targeted therapy
-Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells
.The area just inside the nostrils is called the nasal vestibule. A small area of special cells in the roof of each nasal passage sends signals to the brain to give the sense of smell.
.Together the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs.
.The movement of air through the sinuses and other parts of the respiratory system help make sounds for talking.
-A rare cancer that forms in tissues of a salivary gland. Most salivary gland cancers occur in older people.
-The salivary glands make saliva and release it into the mouth. Saliva has enzymes that help digest food and antibodies that help protect against infections of the mouth and throat.
-More than half of all salivary gland tumors are benign (not cancerous) and do not spread to other tissues
There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands:
-Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear. Most major salivary gland tumors begin in this gland.
-Sublingual glands: These glands are found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth.
-Submandibular glands: These glands are found below the jawbone.
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