Stomach cancer stage 4: What treatments did you have?

Hello, I am new here. I was wondering if there is anyone on here that has same diagnosis as me? I am a 49 year old woman and shocked at this diagnosis as are my doctors but mostly I am scared. They say it's nice to talk to people that are going through the same thing.........

Hello @laurieslifko,

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Coping with cancer is a tough journey, but I want you to know that you don't have to do it alone – I'm so glad you joined Connect! I truly admire your attitude of not letting your fear stop you from reaching out to get support from people who have similar experiences and who understand what you are going through.

I'm tagging Mentor @travelgirl @ssimons @smness as they might have more insights to share. Here's more detailed information from the American Cancer Society about "Treatment Choices by Type and Stage of Stomach Cancer" https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/treating/by-stage.html

Since nutrition is a concern for many patients with stomach cancer, I encourage you to view this discussion, started by @travelgirl:
– Healthy diets for cancer patients https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/healthy-diets-for-cancer-patients/

@laurieslifko, I can only imagine how worried you must be; we're here to help and to walk through all of this together. May I ask, what symptoms and/or tests led to the diagnosis? What are the next steps in terms of treatment?

@laurieslifko I see your new member to connect. Sadly all us here have different illnesses. And I am very sorry about your cancer diagnosis.

Can I ask you what were your symptoms that brought you to the Dr to begin with? Were you diagnosed with H-Pylori?

Plus can I recommend that you get 2nd and 3rd opinion if you can? Plus make sure that where you go, is a National Cancer Institute Center. I think it's better to see what different Dr's say. This way you can decide what are your best options.

Another great resource for cancer patients is the Livestrong program. https://www.livestrong.org/
They offer all kinds of free services for cancer patients. They complement the services from the American Cancer Society.

Another thing STAY off the internet searching for information cause 90% of what you read is outdated and wrong. It will only scare you even more.
Stay Strong and Positive. A lot of how we feel is a state of mind. Our minds are a powerful tool, in helping to keep us strong to fight cancer.

Whenever you need encouragement , or just want to talk, pop on. I will be watching for you.

Praying for you...
Jackie..

Hello @marian51 and welcome to Mayo Connect.

I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis of Stage 4 Gastric cancer. We have a discussion group devoted to those who are dealing with advanced cancer. Here is the link to that discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/talking-frankly-about-living-with-advanced-cancer/. I would encourage you to read through the posts there and read what others have said about gastric cancer.

I did find some information about Folfox and here is the link, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/FOLFOX.
Mayo Clinic is also doing some clinical trials with Folfox for colon cancer, here is the link to that information, https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20145716

Has your doctor suggested the chemo and radiation together?

I would also encourage you to get a second opinion on the treatment for your cancer. If you live near a Mayo facility (there are three: in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona). If that is not possible I would encourage you to seek a second opinion from another well known cancer research facility.

Have you considered a second opinion, @marian51?

Get a second opinion, always

Hello @patti1952

It has been a while since you last posted about your partner's experience with pancreatic cancer and metastasis.

How is he doing? Has he had other treatments or gotten a second opinion?

Take the chemotherapy first. If it works, you should continue. If it does not, try other option, you can try immunotherapy, or you can also try gene therapy, specifically, try injection lentiviral vectors producing anti-cancer gene products directly in gastric tumor via endoscopy.