How Long Can a Person Live with Advanced Gastric Cancer and Bowel Obstruction?

When a patient with late-stage gastric cancer experiences difficulty passing stool, it often indicates widespread metastasis or invasion within the abdominal cavity. This can lead to intestinal obstruction, which significantly worsens the prognosis. According to statistical data, the 5-year survival rate for advanced gastric cancer is less than 10%. In other words, fewer than 10 out of 100 patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer will survive beyond five years. If the cancer has already invaded surrounding tissues or caused a blockage, this survival rate drops even lower.

Despite these challenging odds, it's important not to give up on treatment options too soon. When bowel obstruction occurs, doctors will assess whether it can be relieved, often through surgical intervention. Relieving the blockage may restore the patient's ability to eat normally and open the door for further treatments such as chemotherapy. In some cases, patients respond well to treatment after the obstruction is resolved, which can help extend life expectancy.

Managing intestinal blockage is a critical step in improving quality of life and potentially prolonging survival. Treatment decisions should be made in close consultation with medical professionals who can evaluate the full scope of the patient's condition and tailor a plan that best suits their needs. Timely intervention may offer a meaningful extension of life, even in advanced cases.