Stomach cancer treatment usually combines chemotherapy with surgery, and increasingly uses targeted therapy and immunotherapy guided by the tumor's biology. Our oncologists coordinate the medical plan with your surgical team.
How we approach it
Testing for markers like HER2 and others can open targeted and immune treatment options
Chemotherapy is often given before and after surgery to improve results
Eating and weight can be affected; on-site support helps you stay strong for treatment
What the workup looks like
An upper endoscopy confirms the diagnosis and provides tissue for the testing that follows.
CT imaging — sometimes PET — and biomarker testing such as HER2 shape both the stage and the treatment choice.
Chemotherapy is often given both before and after surgery; we map the order to your specific situation.
Radiation therapy for gastric cancer
Radiation therapy is one of the tools we may use in treating gastric cancer — sometimes together with chemotherapy, before or after surgery. When it’s part of your plan, it’s delivered with the advanced TrueBeam® system and planned by our board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Dan Ishihara, working hand-in-hand with your medical oncologist so radiation, drug therapy, and surgery come together as one plan rather than three.
Common questions
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Will I need surgery and chemotherapy?
What is HER2 testing?
Can immunotherapy help?
This page is general information, not medical advice for your specific situation. Every diagnosis — and every patient — is different. Bring your questions to your care team.