In stage 4 stomach cancer, the original tumor in your stomach has spread to other organs or tissues in your body. This means that the cancer is no longer confined to the stomach and it’s no longer considered curable at this point.
Doctors use a combination of imaging tests and physical exams to determine the stage of your cancer. The cancer stage describes how far the cancer has spread and helps your doctor recommend the best treatment options for you. Stomach cancer staging is based on your symptoms, the results of your tests, and how your health care team treats you.
The stages of stomach cancer are numbered from 0 to 4. Each stage is described in terms of how far the tumor has grown into tissue and whether it’s spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs or tissues. The stage of your cancer also describes how aggressive the disease is and what the five-year survival rate is for people with your type of cancer.
Your chances of surviving are determined by the stage and grade of your cancer, as well as your age, general health, and how your body responds to treatment. Your prognosis will vary, and your doctors can give you a specific outlook for your particular case based on these factors.
You can improve your prognosis by following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. You should also tell your doctor if you experience any new or changing symptoms so they can check them and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
If you have a stage 4 tumor in your stomach, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove it if they can safely do so. If the cancer has spread to your liver or lungs, you may be given a procedure called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), an experimental treatment that uses heat to kill any cancer cells remaining in your stomach and surrounding organs.
Your treatment will be aimed at controlling the growth of your tumors, relieving pain and other symptoms, and improving your quality of life. If your cancer is HER2-positive, your doctor might also add the targeted drug trastuzumab to your chemo regimen.
There are many new treatments that can help improve the chance of a good outcome for people with advanced stomach cancer. You might want to ask your doctor if you’re eligible for any clinical trials that are currently open for this type of cancer. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and a vegetarian diet might also help ease the side effects of your treatment.
