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Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can affect any part of the stomach. In most of the world, stomach cancers form in the main part of the stomach. But in the U.S., stomach cancer is more likely to affect the area where the esophagus meets the stomach. This area is called the gastroesophageal junction.
Where the cancer occurs in the stomach is one factor doctors consider when determining treatment options. Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the stomach cancer. Other treatments may be recommended before and after surgery, including immunotherapy.
"Over the past three years, we've incorporated immunotherapy into the treatment of stomach cancer. This type of therapy boosts the immune system to go after the cancer," says Dr. Lionel Kankeu Fonkoua, a Mayo Clinic medical oncologist. "Cancer cells are very smart and find ways to evade or put brakes on the immune system. Immunotherapy is designed to release those brakes and unleash the immune system to go after the cancer. And when that's effective, we've seen some dramatic and durable responses in some of these patients."
November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Kankeu Fonkoua discusses risk factors, the latest treatments and steps you can take to prevent stomach cancer.
To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Connect with others talking about stomach cancer and immunotherapies in the Cancer support group.
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Excellent podcast with Dr. Kankeu Fonkoua. Like Dr. GazeIka, I did not know we had a Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. I will help spread the word. Would Dr. Fonkoua be able to speak to the preventive measures for preventing the progression of chronic/active gastritis with focal intestinal metaplasia in the gastric mucosa (created in the setting of a Billroth II surgery)? Thank you.
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1 ReactionDr. Kankeu Fonkoua,
I am sorry for the lost of your Dear Grandmother it hurts my heart to know of her suffering, and yours. God is using her life even today for the good of many and His glory. May your Savior continue to bless you with compassion, knowledge, and wisdom.
Thank you for your remarkable presentation; the clarity you offer is much appreciated.
Elisabeth Teel
Hi @jgc, prevention of intestinal metaplasia is discussed in this article:
- Intestinal Metaplasia https://www.healthline.com/health/intestinal-metaplasia
And you may be interested in the practice guidelines of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
- AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on Management of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(19)41888-X/fulltext
Do you or a family member have intestinal metaplasia?
Thank you Colleen. Yes, I have intestinal metaplasia confirmed through endoscopy 31 years post Billroth II and though I understand it is irreversible, I believe with the right knowledge from the right experts, I will be able to prevent the expected progression to malignancy. If you know of anyone anywhere researching this surgically-induced bile reflux, please send that information. Listening to Dr. Fonkoua, I realized, maybe for the first time, GIM doesn't have to be a death sentence. Thank you again for this information.
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2 ReactionsHere are the search results from Mayo Clinic research using the keywords "intestinal metaplasia"
https://www.mayo.edu/research/search/search-results?q=intestinal%20metaplasia#b7b1c41a35e845c7afa0570b78c9ea93
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