Is Chemotherapy Effective for Stomach Cancer?

Chemotherapy can play a significant role in the treatment of stomach cancer, particularly in managing tumor size and improving outcomes before surgery. When tumors shrink following chemotherapy, it often indicates that the treatment is working and that the disease is under control. However, this does not necessarily mean the patient is cured. In cases where tumors are located in the gastric antrum or gastric body and have spread to nearby lymph nodes, immediate surgery may not be the best option. Instead, doctors may recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the stage of the cancer before performing surgery, which increases the chances of a successful cure.

For patients with peritoneal or abdominal metastases, chemotherapy can be used as a conversion therapy to shrink tumors and potentially make surgery possible. If the cancer responds well to treatment and the tumor size decreases enough, a curative resection may be performed. The type of surgery depends on the tumor's location—either a total gastrectomy for tumors in the upper part of the stomach or a subtotal gastrectomy for those in the lower portion.

In advanced stages where stomach cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy becomes a palliative care option aimed at symptom relief and extending life expectancy. While tumor shrinkage is still considered a positive response, the goal of treatment shifts from cure to long-term disease management. Patients typically continue with systemic therapies to keep the cancer under control and improve quality of life.