Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer begins in the cells lining the stomach and remains one of the most common cancers in East Asia, with South Korea, Japan, and China recording some of the highest rates globally. Across Southeast Asia, rates are also elevated, particularly in regions with high salt-preserved food consumption and widespread H. pylori infection.

Medicine used to treat Gastric Cancer

Capnat

Capecitabine

500mg

Developed to target cancerous growths by utilizing systemic conversion to therapeutic agents that inhibit DNA synthesis.

From $2.98 / tablet View

Recognising it early

Gastric cancer is often silent in its early stages. As it advances, people notice persistent indigestion or heartburn that does not settle, unexplained weight loss, a feeling of fullness after small meals, nausea, blood in vomit or stools, or dull upper-abdominal pain. These symptoms overlap with many benign conditions, which is why they tend to be investigated late. Anyone with symptoms that persist beyond a few weeks, especially alongside weight loss, should seek medical assessment promptly.

How gastric cancer is managed

Treatment depends on the stage and extent of spread. Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach is the main approach for localised disease. Chemotherapy is used alongside surgery or as the primary treatment when surgery is not possible. Capecitabine, an oral fluoropyrimidine agent, is widely used in combination regimens for gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers across Asian oncology centres. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are additional options depending on tumour biology. Full treatment planning sits within oncology support and is led by a specialist team.