Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. One or more drugs in combination may be used, and treatments generally run in cycles - a treatment period followed by a recovery period. The drugs are given orally, intravenously or intramuscularly. Systemic therapy infuses the drugs directly into the bloodstream, where they travel through the body. Chemotherapy can also be used as an adjuvant therapy, meaning it is administered in combination with another type of treatment. There is currently no strong evidence that adjuvant therapy is of benefit either before or after surgery for stomach cancer. Clinical trials are currently underway to help determine if certain types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be helpful.
Current studies involve inserting anticancer drugs directly into the abdomen, which is called intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy for stomach cancer may use a single drug such as 5-fluorouracil (5FU), or a combination of several drugs. Commonly used combinations include FAMTX and ECF.
Depending on the drugs used, side effects can vary. Possible side effects include a tendency to bleed or bruise easily, higher risk of infections, and a decrease in energy. Other side effects may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and mouth sores. Medicine can help relieve some of the side effects.
A drug called Neupogen, which is a growth factor that stimulates white blood cell production, may be used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
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