What are the treatment options for stomach cancer?

The treatment plan depends on where the tumour sits in the stomach, how deeply it has grown, whether nearby lymph nodes or other areas are involved, and your ability to tolerate treatment. Biopsy testing can identify features that guide medicine choices, including whether the tumour has HER2-related changes.

Stomach removal surgery, called gastrectomy, removes part or all of the stomach and nearby tissue when an operation is suitable. Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery, or to control cancer that cannot be removed. HER2-targeted therapy is used when testing shows the relevant target. Immunotherapy may be offered for selected tumour features or advanced disease.

Ask how the proposed treatment could affect eating, digestion, weight, energy, and daily routines. A dietitian can help plan smaller meals and suitable nutrition if symptoms or surgery make eating harder. Bring a current medicine list and mention diabetes, heart problems, prior operations, or difficulty swallowing.

Read about [Stomach Cancer](/conditions/stomach-cancer/), [Stomach Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/gastrectomy/), [Chemotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy/), [HER2-Targeted Therapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/her2-targeted-therapy/), and [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/).

Contact your team promptly for vomiting that prevents fluids, worsening difficulty swallowing, black stools, vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, fever, or signs of dehydration. After surgery or medicines, urgent assessment is needed for chest pain, breathlessness, increasing wound redness or drainage, persistent vomiting, or sudden confusion.

Can surgery remove the tumour, and would I need part or all of my stomach removed? Will chemotherapy be used before or after surgery? Has my tumour been tested for HER2 or other features that affect treatment? Could immunotherapy help my situation? How will nutrition and side effects be supported?