The uncontrolled growth of stomach cells forms a tumor and causes stomach cancer. It is also known as gastric cancer and is usually found in the stomach’s inner lining. It needs proper diagnosis and treatments, such as chemotherapy. It is one of the most dangerous cancers as it increases the risk of death even though patients undergo chemotherapy. However, the Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new treatment method that can reduce the risk of death and increase the survival time for these patients.  Â
The study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology has revealed that a combination of surgery and a new chemotherapy method can treat advanced stomach cancer- stage 4 effectively. This research involved patients aged between 46 and 62 who had advanced stomach cancer and peritoneal metastasis- a condition in which cancer cells spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity.  Â
In this research, researchers performed cytoreductive surgery to visible tumors in the stomach and abdomen. Then, they performed hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). In HIPEC, they infused hot chemotherapy drugs named cisplatin and paclitaxel directly into the abdominal cavity. These drugs were kept for almost 90 minutes to kill the remaining cancer cells.  Â
People with advanced stomach cancer usually live for an average of 13 months after chemotherapy. However, the results of this new treatment show that 55% of patients were alive even after three years of taking this treatment. Researchers also tracked these patients for the next 3 years. They found that the survival rates for one, two and three year were 96%, 78% and 55% respectively. These rates prove that most patients receiving the new treatment are healthy and still alive. Â
The results also show that this new treatment worked effectively and did increase the risk of other health complications. This treatment successfully removed all cancer cells and reduced the risk of death after 90 days of treatment. Â
Reference Link:Â Â
EeeLN Buckarma et al, Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel and Cisplatin for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis, Annals of Surgical Oncology (2023).  Â
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14379-2Â Â
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