Stomach Cancer

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Stomach cancer is a tumor (lump) in the stomach. It is also called gastric cancer. The stomach is located in the upper side of the abdomen (belly) under the ribs. It is part of the digestive system where the food is broken down.
  
  
• There is no known cause of stomach cancer. Having a family history of stomach or colon (large bowel) cancer puts you at higher risk. You may also be at higher risk if you have other stomach diseases or if you often eat preserved foods. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer may include stomach pain and bloatedness (feeling of being full). Other signs may include unexplained weight loss, or blood in your vomit (throw up) or BM.
  
  
• Stomach cancer is usually diagnosed by endoscopy, stomach x-ray or ultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Ask your caregiver for more information about these tests and treatments. Surviving stomach cancer depends upon how far it has spread when the cancer is found. The chances of curing stomach cancer are better when it is found early.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• If you are getting chemotherapy, it is important to take your medicine exactly as you are told.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Eating well with cancer and cancer treatment:

Good nutrition can:

• help you feel better during treatment and decrease treatment side effects
  
  
• decrease your risk of infection
  
  
• help you have more energy and feel stronger
  
  
• help you maintain a healthy weight and heal faster

Eat a variety of healthy foods to get the protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that your body needs. You may need to change the foods you eat depending on your treatments and side effects. You also may need to eat more calories than usual. Work with a dietitian to plan the best meals and snacks for you. Ask if you should add vitamins to your diet.

• If you had surgery to remove part of your stomach, you may have what caregivers call dumping syndrome. This happens because food and fluids pass too quickly from the stomach into the intestines. Ask caregivers if you should follow a special diet.
  
  

Drinking liquids:

Drink extra liquids to avoid dehydration (loss of body fluid). You will also need to replace fluid if you are vomiting or have diarrhea from cancer treatments. Ask your caregiver which liquids to drink and how much you need each day.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your radiation or chemotherapy visit.
  
  
• Your pain is worse or does not go away after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your disease, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
  
  
• You are vomiting (throwing up) and cannot keep any food or liquids down.
  
  
• You feel confused or dizzy.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Stomach Cancer (Aftercare Instructions)