Treatments for stomach cancer

Last medical review:

If you have stomach cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for stomach cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • stage
  • where the tumour is in the stomach
  • HER2 status
  • your overall health
  • what you prefer or want

Surgery and chemotherapy or chemoradiation are often used to treat stomach cancer.

Treatments for stage 0 stomach cancer

Stage 0 stomach cancer is treated with surgery.

Treatments for stage 1 stomach cancer

Stage 1 stomach cancer is usually treated with surgery. Chemotherapy or chemoradiation may also be used.

Treatments for stage 2 and stage 3 stomach cancer

Stage 2 and stage 3 stomach cancer are usually treated with surgery followed by chemoradiation or chemotherapy.

Treatments for stage 4 and recurrent stomach cancer

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for stage 4 and recurrent stomach cancer. Surgery and radiation may also be offered.

Surgery for stomach cancer

Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Stomach cancer is often treated with surgery.

Chemotherapy for stomach cancer

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Stomach cancer is often treated with chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy for stomach cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to treat stomach cancer.

Targeted therapy for stomach cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells. It is sometimes used to treat stomach cancer.

Follow-up after treatment for stomach cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for stomach cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


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