Stomach Cancer — Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment in Lucknow
Stomach cancer often develops quietly, with vague symptoms that are easy to dismiss as indigestion — which is why it is frequently diagnosed late. Prompt assessment of persistent upper-abdominal symptoms can make the difference between a curable and an advanced cancer.
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma treats stomach cancer in Lucknow with specialist gastrectomy and meticulous lymph-node clearance, the key determinants of long-term survival.
What is stomach cancer?
Stomach (gastric) cancer arises in the lining of the stomach and can spread through its wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs. Long-standing infection with Helicobacter pylori, chronic gastritis and certain dietary factors increase the risk.
Because early symptoms are non-specific, any persistent indigestion, especially in someone over 40 or with alarm features, deserves an endoscopy.
Symptoms to watch for
- Persistent indigestion, heartburn or upper-abdominal discomfort
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Nausea, vomiting, or vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools (a sign of bleeding)
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
Causes & risk factors
- Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis
- A diet high in salted, smoked or preserved foods
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- A family history of stomach cancer
- Previous stomach surgery or pernicious anaemia
How it is diagnosed
- Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy — the definitive test
- CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis for staging
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to assess tumour depth
- Diagnostic laparoscopy in selected cases
How stomach cancer is treated
Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach (partial or total gastrectomy) together with a thorough D2 lymph-node dissection offers the best chance of cure. Chemotherapy is frequently given before and/or after surgery to improve outcomes.
Dr Verma performs these complex operations within a fully supported surgical and oncology programme, with the lymph-node clearance that specialist gastric cancer surgery demands.
As a stomach cancer surgeon in Lucknow, Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma performs partial and total gastrectomy with D2 lymph-node dissection at Medanta.
When to see a GI surgeon
- Indigestion that persists despite treatment, especially over age 40
- Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools
- Difficulty swallowing or early fullness when eating
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Stomach Cancer: common questions
Can you live normally after the stomach is removed?
Yes. After a total or partial gastrectomy the digestive tract is reconnected, and with some adjustments to eating smaller, more frequent meals, most people adapt well and live full lives. A dietitian supports you through the transition.
What does D2 lymph-node dissection mean?
It is the systematic removal of the lymph nodes around the stomach that are most likely to harbour cancer spread. Performing an adequate D2 dissection is a hallmark of specialist gastric cancer surgery and improves survival.
Concerned about stomach cancer?
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma offers clear assessment and expert treatment. Book a consultation for personalised advice.