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Stage 3 Stomach Cancer: What Patients Wish They Knew Before Treatment
By Raveena M Prakash
Being diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer can feel overwhelming. Between these complex cancer treatments, treatment choices, and emotional upheaval, patients often find themselves wishing they had known certain things earlier. Many patients could have helped them prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally.
In this blog, we’ll discover more about understanding more about stage 3 stomach cancer, how someone can prepare for the treatment, importance of nutrition, and emotional and mental support during the treatment and after recovery!
Understanding more about stage 3 stomach cancer
Patients after hearing stage 3 often get triggered and feel scared. Stage 3, usually known as advanced, can sound final, with no hope left for patients. Many stage 3 cancer patients are surprised to understand that stage 3 stomach cancer can still be treatable. These are even curable with aggressive cancer therapy. These stage cancers might need a combination of therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy.
Stage 3 Gastric cancers might need a combination of therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. The treatment for stage 3 gastric cancer often unfolds over many months; these often involve:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery)
- Surgery (Gastrectomy)
- Adjuvant chemotherapy (after surgery)
Here’s what helps:
- Ask your doctor to explain your cancer stage and its challenges in simple language
- Keep a journal to understand and list out the symptoms of your cancer.
- Learn more about your treatment plan step-by-step
- Schedule to mark down the rest days
- Ask for help from your loved ones.
- Celebrate small milestones completed after each of your chemo sessions.
Prepare for your treatment journey
The treatment for stage 3 stomach cancer is often a prolonged process that requires both physical and emotional resilience. It typically unfolds over a few months and involves multiple phases of treatments, which are designed to reduce tumor size, eliminate residual cancer cells, and prevent the risk of recurrence.
Many patients begin with neoadjuvant therapy, which is often delivered before surgery to help shrink the tumor and improve the surgical treatment outcomes. It is often followed with gastrectomy, which is a surgical procedure in which part of, in some cases, the entire stomach is removed.
After completing the surgery, adjuvant therapy is often recommended to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. In some cases, treatments such as targeted therapy or radiation therapy may also be combined into the treatment plan depending on your treatment plan, depending on tumor biology, genetic factors, and patient response.
Importance of nutrition and balanced diet
After completing stomach surgery, eating habits and diet can change dramatically. Many patients experience reduced appetite, dumping syndrome, or difficulty in digesting certain foods.
Here’s what you need to know, including:
- If you are experiencing any digestive problems, consult your dietitian.
- Choose high-protein diets and nutrient-dense foods in small, frequent meals.
- Track your food tolerances and make gradual food changes.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, because dehydration is a common post-surgery challenge.
Managing treatment side effects can make a huge impact
Managing treatment side effects often involves a combination of treatments, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes to address treatment side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and digestive problems.
Starting from nausea and fatigue to neuropathy and hair loss, these treatment side effects can vary from patient to patient. Here’s the most important takeaway from stage 3 survivors: Do not wait; speak up early so your support and care team can help you to manage several treatment-related side effects.
Here’s what helps the patients, including:
- List down in a journal which includes your side effects
- Consult your oncology team if these symptoms start to worsen.
- Take necessary precautions if you start to experience nausea, pain, or other discomfort.
- Always understand that the quality of your life matters during the treatment phase.
- Practice proactive communication, which can make all the difference.
The power of emotional and mental support
Family, friends, and caregivers are your true support team during the time of your cancer treatments. Many patients realize later how vital it is to communicate with their loved ones about their specific needs. Open communication with your loved ones can even help with your diet and transportation. In some cases, it can provide mental and emotional support to the patient.
Here’s what helps the patients, including:
- Don’t hesitate to ask help from your family, friends, and loved ones.
- Always keep your loved ones informed through updates on how you are feeling.
- Let others help you and carry the emotional load when you need rest.
Life after cancer treatment
Completing stage 3 cancer treatment doesn’t mean your treatment journey has ended here, but the real journey starts after completing your treatments. Many cancer survivors often face many dietary changes, emotional and mental processing, and, additionally, fear of any cancer recurrence, along with a deeper appreciation of life.
Here are few things can help your journey, including:
- Visit your oncologist for a follow-up appointment and check regularly
- Explore new hobbies and passions that bring you more joy and meaning in life.
- Try to celebrate your small or big accomplishments, and stay humble and grateful.
Consult Today
People diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer experience different symptoms and undergo unique circumstances, but shared stories provide invaluable guidance and awareness to others. The treatment for stage 3 stomach cancer is often demanding, but with the right information and support, it can be dealt with hope and medical attention.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist consultation. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the treatments used for the stage 3 stomach cancer, including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemoradiation
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
Here are some of the diagnostic tests used for stage 3 stomach cancer, including:
- Upper endoscopy with biopsy
- Endoscopic ultrasound (ES)
- CT scan
- PET scan
Additional diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Barium swallow
- Laparoscopy
- Genomic or biomarker testing
Here are some of the symptoms of stage 3 stomach cancer, including:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Severe abdominal pain
- Feeling full after having some foods
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Blood in stool
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