Care and mobility considerations

Advanced stomach cancer and Recurrent stomach cancer

This group which includes 80% of those with stomach cancer have a median survival with chemotherapy treatment of 6-9 months. Symptoms of disease may include many of the following:

• Indigestion, acid indigestion
• Belching
• Difficulty swallowing - ‘dysphagia’
• Nausea or vomiting – may be bloody – ‘haematemesis’
• Feeling full after smaller amounts of food than normal, the medical term for this is ‘early satiety’
• Abdominal pain
• Bleeding from tumours in the lining of the stomach
• Low blood count – ‘anaemia’ from gastrointestinal bleeding
• Loss of appetite - ‘anorexia’
• Weight loss

Over time they are likely to lose weight becoming frailer, they may be unable to walk far or cope with shopping and cleaning. In the terminal phase they are likely to require help with all aspects of personal care. Some will respond very well to palliative treatment, maintain weight and be able to function well for some time before entering the terminal phase.

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• Psychological effects

Amended November 2008