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Stomach Cancer Treatment Options in Singapore 

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is an abnormal growth of cells within the stomach. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in males, and the sixth in females. When diagnosed at an early stage, usually through a gastroscopy (OGD), it is often cured with surgery.

stomach cancer

HOW TO DIAGNOSE?

Some symptoms of stomach cancer would be

  • Epigastric pain

  • Passing of black stools

  • Vomiting and/ or nausea

  • Loss of appetite, or weight loss

  • Heartburn

  • Indigestion

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If you have the above signs, it is best to get it checked out by a doctor. Most of the times, the doctor would recommend you to undergo a scope for the stomach, also known as gastroscopy, or oeso-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD for short). It will allow the doctor to look at your oesophagus, stomach, and the early part of the small intestine.

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It is an effective method to check for the root cause of the symptoms that you are exhibiting, or confirm a diagnosis such as stomach ulcers, stomach cancer, or H. Pylori bacterial infection.

WHAT CAUSES IT TO OCCUR?

One known factor that increases the risk of stomach cancer is the presence of H. Pylori within your stomach for a prolonged period of time. This can be easily negated if you go for a screening gastroscopy, and oral medications can be prescribed to treat the condition.

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Other known factors include having a family history of stomach cancer, or any cancers in general, chronic gastritis, pernicious anaemia, and smoking. 

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Chronic gastritis can also be diagnosed and treated if a gastroscopy is done, and the patient is found to have an long-term inflammation of the stomach lining. This can also be treated with oral medications and can be eradicated.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT/ IS IT PREVENTABLE?

One way to reduce the risk of stomach cancer would be to eat a healthy diet with lots of fibre, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

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If you smoke, do consider quitting as it helps to reduce the risk for many cancers like stomach cancer, and other cancers of head and neck, larynx, oesophagus, lung, bladder, kidney, and pancreas.

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Additionally, if you have a family history of cancers, do get yourself screened early so that pre cancerous growths may be picked up early.

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If you have gone for a gastroscopy before and the histology that came back detected intestinal metaplasia, it is best to repeat a scope in one to two years to ensure that the changes improve after treatment and have not continued to fester.

IS IT COMMON?

Stomach cancer became less prevalent as the world became more advanced. One example is the use of refrigerators to keep food fresh for a longer time. In the past where people used other methods to preserve food, their diets consisted of salty and smoked foods which is believed to lead to an increased risk in contracting cancer. In addition, the discovery and subsequent treatment of H. Pylori infections has also contributed greatly to the reduction of stomach cancers.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the patient’s condition such as the cancer’s location, stage, and aggressiveness. Some treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and more.

At Melissa Teo Surgery and The Surgical Oncology Clinic, we aim to eradicate known causes of stomach cancer as well as detect any abnormalities that can be treated to prevent the development of stomach cancer. A personalised approach to the treatment of your stomach cancer is planned to ensure the best survival outcomes. In those with peritoneal disease from stomach cancer, we may employ the use of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS and HIPEC) or intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy (IP/IV), working closely with our medical oncologists.

Melissa Teo Surgery

ADDRESS

Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road
#08-40
Singapore 329563

CONTACT

Phone: + 65 62624301

Fax: +65 62624302

The Surgical Oncology Clinic

ADDRESS

1 Farrer Park Station Road

#09-07 Connexion

Singapore 217562

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5.30pm

Saturday: 8.30am - 12.30pm

Sunday & PH: Closed

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CONTACT

Phone: + 65 66947107

Fax: +65 66947108

©2019 - 2023 by Melissa Teo Surgery & The Surgical Oncology Clinic

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