The Johns Hopkins Center for Stomach Cancer Care multidisciplinary team provides innovative and evidence-based treatments and services that are tailored to the unique needs of each patient. We combine the expertise of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists — alongside gastroenterologists, dietitians and other specialists—to create specific treatment programs based on individual patients’ needs.
Our Treatment Research
Stomach (gastric) cancer patients receiving surgery, chemotherapy and radiation appear to have better survival rates than those who had surgery followed by only chemotherapy.
Diagnostic Services
Early diagnosis of stomach cancers can lead to better outcomes. Our multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and radiologists will determine the best diagnostic test and treatment for you.
Learn more about our stomach cancer diagnostic services.
Surgery for Stomach Cancer
Surgery is very common during the treatment of stomach cancer. The surgical approach depends on the type of cancer, size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Learn more about stomach cancer surgery options.
Chemotherapy for Stomach Cancer
There are several types of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies that can be used to treat certain types of stomach cancer. Our multidisciplinary team will determine which treatments (or combinations of treatments) are best for you.
Learn more about chemotherapy treatment for stomach cancer.
Radiation Therapy for Stomach Cancer
Radiation therapy can be used in multiple ways to help treat stomach cancer and is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy both before and after surgery. As part of the multidisciplinary team at the Johns Hopkins Center for Stomach Cancer Care, radiation oncologists collaborate with surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and other specialists to devise a treatment plan uniquely suited for each individual.
Why Radiation Therapy Is Used to Treat Stomach Cancer
Radiation therapy can help treat gastric cancer and can also help alleviate some of its symptoms.
- Targeted radiation interventions can shrink tumors and eradicate cancer cells in adjacent lymph nodes, reducing the likelihood that the cancer will spread.
- Radiation therapy (often in conjunction with chemotherapy) can be used to shrink a tumor so that partial or full excision becomes possible.
- Postoperative radiation therapy can be used to kill microscopic remnants of the cancer that are too small to be identified or removed in follow-up surgeries.
- As with chemotherapy and surgery, radiation can also be used for palliative care by easing stomach pain, reducing or stopping internal bleeding and helping to regain appetite.
Radiation Therapies Used to Treat Stomach Cancer
Radiation therapy targets specific tumors while leaving the surrounding tissue and other organs unharmed. The most commonly used therapy is intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
Life After Stomach Cancer Treatment
Our medical specialists and support staff are available to help you with the recovery process after treatment.
Learn more about the recovery process after stomach cancer treatment.
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC)
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HGDC) is an inherited cancer that increases the risk of developing diffuse-type stomach (gastric) cancer and breast cancer. Our cancer risk assessment clinic staff will evaluate patients from HDGC families and provide management and testing recommendations.
Learn more about HGDC.