Stomach Cancer (Gastric Cancer)

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer is one of the relatively common cancers in Japan. In the early stages, there may be no clear symptoms, but as the cancer progresses, symptoms such as stomach pain or discomfort, decreased appetite, and weight loss may appear. As the disease advances, it may spread to:

  • Lymph nodes
  • Liver
  • Peritoneum

and other sites.

Standard Treatment

Treatment for stomach cancer is selected according to how far the cancer has progressed and spread.

  • Early-stage cancer: endoscopic treatment (such as ESD)
  • Advanced cancer: surgery (gastrectomy) and chemotherapy
  • When metastasis is present: systemic drug therapy is the mainstay

Characteristics of Metastasis

As stomach cancer progresses, various types of metastasis can occur.

  • Liver metastasis
    Relatively common.
  • Lung metastasis
    May be seen in advanced cases.
  • Lymph node metastasis
    Often seen from a relatively early stage.
  • Peritoneal dissemination
    One of the characteristic types of metastasis in stomach cancer. Cancer cells spread within the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), which can lead to a buildup of fluid (ascites) or bowel obstruction. It is seen relatively frequently in advanced stomach cancer.
  • Bone metastasis
    Rare (less than a few percent), but may be seen in advanced cases.

When these metastases are present, systemic treatment such as chemotherapy is generally the mainstay, but depending on the condition, some cases can be difficult to control. For this reason, at our clinic, combining conventional treatment with local therapy using interventional radiology (IVR) is expected to improve control of the lesions and expand treatment options.

For details on each type of metastasis, please see the following:

IVR Treatment at Our Clinic for Liver Metastasis, Lung Metastasis, Lymph Node Metastasis, Peritoneal Dissemination, and Bone Metastasis

At our clinic, we provide minimally invasive local treatment centered on interventional radiology (IVR) for localized metastases. With IVR, various treatments for the tumor can be combined, making it possible to develop a treatment strategy tailored to each patient's condition.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

A thin needle is inserted into the tumor, and the tumor is treated by thermal ablation.

Catheter-Based Treatment (such as Arterial Embolization)

A thin catheter is advanced into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, and blood flow is controlled to suppress the progression of the tumor.

By combining these approaches, tumor control tailored to the patient's condition may be possible in some cases, even when surgery is difficult.

What Is Peritoneal Dissemination?

In stomach cancer, cases involving peritoneal dissemination, in which cancer cells spread within the abdominal cavity, are relatively common, and a major challenge is that treatment options become increasingly limited as the disease progresses. Conventional systemic therapy alone may not provide sufficient control in some cases, and the need for new treatment approaches is growing.

Our Clinic's New Treatment for Peritoneal Dissemination

Against this background, our clinic performs its own proprietary perfusion therapy for peritoneal dissemination (patented).

This treatment approaches the abdominal cavity directly, delivering intensive treatment to the tumor while limiting the burden on the whole body and aiming to improve treatment effectiveness.

It may also offer a new option for cases that have been difficult to treat with conventional therapies.

For details, please see
Detailed explanation of perfusion therapy
for more information.

Please Consult Us in the Following Cases

  • You would like to explore the possibility of local treatment for stomach cancer metastases
  • You are looking for options other than chemotherapy
  • You have been told that surgery is not feasible
  • You are struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy
  • You are seeking a new treatment for peritoneal dissemination

Features of Our Clinic

At Yasumoto IVR Clinic, IVR specialists propose the most suitable treatment based on diagnostic imaging, combining RFA, catheter-based treatment, and perfusion therapy. We aim to provide treatment that draws out each patient's potential to the fullest, according to their individual condition.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.