Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Stomach cancer (treatment options)

4-minute read

What is stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer is a harmful growth that starts in the wall of your stomach.

A cancer in the upper part of your stomach can prevent food from going down, making it difficult for you to swallow or giving the feeling of food sticking.

Effective treatment may help to control the cancer and improve your symptoms.

Illustration the human body.
Your doctor can mark where the cancer is.

How can stomach cancer be treated?

  • Surgery to remove the cancer and part of or all your stomach. Your bowel is used to join the ends together, allowing you to eat and drink normally.
  • Chemotherapy to shrink the cancer and kill off cancer cells.
  • A combination of chemotherapy and surgery.
  • Radiotherapy after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the same area.

There are treatments to improve swallowing without treating the underlying cancer.

  • Inserting a stent across the cancer to hold your oesophagus or stomach open.
  • Bypass surgery to make a way around the cancer.

How do I know what is the best treatment for me?

Removing the cancer by surgery gives you the best chance of being free of stomach cancer. However, surgery involves significant risks.

If the cancer has spread outside your stomach and it is no longer possible for you to be cured, surgery or other treatments may control the cancer for a long time and improve your quality of life.

Some people who have other medical problems may not be strong enough to have major surgery and so non-surgical treatments may be offered.

To decide on the best treatment for you and if surgery is likely to help you, you may need to have a number of tests.

Sometimes you may also need to have other tests such as an endoscopic ultrasound.

Once all the information is available, your doctor will discuss the results at a team meeting with the other specialists involved in your care.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The operation and treatment information on this page is published under license by Healthdirect Australia from EIDO Healthcare Australia and is protected by copyright laws. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information. The information should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you. Medical Illustration Copyright © Medical-Artist.com.

For more on how this information was prepared, click here.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Stomach cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council

Find out about stomach cancer, including information on symptoms and diagnosis, causes, prevention, treatment and prognosis

Read more on Cancer Council Australia website

Stomach cancer - Better Health Channel

The symptoms of stomach cancer are usually vague and can be common to other medical conditions.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Stomach cancer | Cancer Institute NSW

Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer and is a type of upper gastrointestinal cancer

Read more on Cancer Institute NSW website

Stomach Cancer - Radiation Oncology Targeting Center

Stomach Cancer Around 3500 Australians get upper gastro intestinal (UGI) cancer every year

Read more on Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer website

Stomach and oesophageal cancer

Information about stomach and oesophageal cancer

Read more on WA Health website

Stomach & Oesophageal Cancer Guide - Trusted Information | Cancer Council Victoria - Cancer Council Victoria

Oesophageal & stomach cancers are malignant tumours found in the tissues of the oesophagus or stomach.

Read more on Cancer Council Victoria website

Treatment By Cancer Type - Radiation Oncology Targeting Center

Find out about the treatment available for different cancer types, including Cervical Cancer, Brain Cancer, and Rectal Cancer.

Read more on Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer website

Oesophageal Cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council

Find information about oesophageal cancer, including facts, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, causes, prevention and treatment.

Read more on Cancer Council Australia website

Cancer

Information about cancer, including risk factors, types of cancer, support services and treatments.

Read more on WA Health website

Gastritis - Better Health Channel

Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.