How can gastric cancer in the intermediate stage be treated optimally?
Gastric cancer at its intermediate stage generally refers to advanced gastric cancer, and patients require comprehensive treatment methods such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. If discomfort symptoms appear, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and select a suitable treatment plan under the guidance of a doctor. Here are the treatment options:
1. Surgery: For early-stage gastric cancer and some intermediate to late-stage gastric cancers, endoscopic resection or surgical radical resection can be considered. When the tumor has not spread, the diseased tissue can be completely removed while preserving normal gastric mucosa as much as possible.
2. Radiation Therapy: This method utilizes radiation to kill cancer cells and is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate surgery or refuse surgery. It can also be used as one of the adjuvant therapies after surgery to prevent recurrence and metastasis.
3. Chemotherapy: It involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells and achieve treatment goals. Commonly used drugs include fluorouracil derivatives and mitomycin C, which can control disease progression to a certain extent and prolong survival time.
4. Immunotherapy: A novel anti-tumor treatment method that mainly acts on the body's immune system to inhibit cancer growth and spread. Commonly used drugs include Pembrolizumab Injection and Nivolumab Injection. Targeted therapy and traditional Chinese medicine can also be adopted to improve prognosis.
In daily life, it is important to maintain good eating habits, avoid overeating, and minimize the consumption of spicy and stimulating foods such as chili and Sichuan peppercorns to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, getting sufficient rest and ensuring adequate sleep is beneficial for recovery.
