When is chemotherapy recommended for stomach cancer?

The plan depends on the tumour’s position and extent, biopsy findings, scan results, general health, and whether an operation can remove all visible disease. Treatment before surgery may reduce tumour activity and address cancer cells that are too small to see on scans. Treatment after surgery may be advised to lower the chance of remaining microscopic disease. When an operation is not suitable, chemotherapy can slow growth, ease symptoms caused by the tumour, or help maintain eating and activity. Other medicines may be added when testing identifies features that make them suitable.

Ask whether the aim is to prepare for surgery, reduce recurrence risk, or control symptoms. Review the proposed medicines, treatment cycles, blood tests, nutrition support, and how nausea, appetite changes, fatigue, or infection risk will be managed. Tell the team about weight loss, swallowing or eating difficulty, other illnesses, and every medicine or supplement you take.

During chemotherapy, contact your care team urgently for fever or chills, trouble breathing, chest pain, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, dehydration, confusion, or unusual bleeding. Seek prompt assessment for black stools, vomiting blood, inability to keep fluids down, or rapidly worsening abdominal pain.

What is the purpose and timing of chemotherapy in my plan? Will I need surgery or another medicine as well? How will nutrition and side effects be monitored?