How Long Can a Person Live with Stomach Cancer?

The survival time for individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer varies significantly and cannot be determined by a single figure. Some patients may live for about a year, while others may survive for 5 to 10 years or even longer. Early detection plays a critical role in determining life expectancy and treatment outcomes.

At the time of diagnosis, the difference in survival time between early-stage and late-stage stomach cancer can be substantial. Patients with early-stage gastric cancer often have the option of curative surgical removal of the tumor. Following surgery, additional post-operative chemotherapy may be recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence. With this combined approach, many patients can live for many years, and in some cases, the cancer may be completely cured, allowing individuals to live beyond 10 years.

In contrast, patients diagnosed with advanced or late-stage stomach cancer typically face a shorter survival period. This is largely due to the presence of metastasis, where the cancer has spread to distant organs. In such cases, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression through systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or targeted drug treatments. While these treatments can extend life and improve quality of life, they are generally not curative in advanced cases.