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Stomach cancer - what to expect?

stardust14
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Hello,

My dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer last June, and was unable to undergo an operation to cure it in November since the cancer had spread just outside of the stomach lining.  He is currently receiving chemotherapy to treat it, and it has been able to prevent any future growth, however the cancer is still terminal.

We are not sure how long he has left, although I believe the chemo can give around 6 months - 18 months longer.

I realise it is difficult since everyone goes through it differently, but if anyone would be able to advise me as to what to expect over the next few months/years it would be helpful. His eating has decreased significantly and he is starting to lose weight, however he mostly is ok in himself.

Thank you 

  • Offline

    Hi Stardust,

    Sorry to hear about your Dad, talk to his medical team about his loss of appetite and weight loss. There is a good chance that this is a side effect of the chemo and if they adjust his medication they can bring it under control. I had similar symptoms when I was on chemo but knew it was the chemo causing it because my cancer had sneaked up on me because I was showing none of the usual symptoms.  

    Your question isvery hard to answer apart from saying "it depends", as there are so many variables. A patient's age, fitness, other illnesses, how early or late the cancer was detected, the grading of the cancer (how aggressive it is) and how the cancer reacts to the chemo are all factors. I also believe that random chance or luck plays a big part.

    I can only try to answer from personal experience. My Mum died of cancer and I now have it too. We were both given similar timescales to your Dad when we were diagnosed as being at stage 4.

    Mum survived for about 18 precious months. Her general health was pretty good for about a year then the cancer took hold and her condition deteriorated. She was 70 and wasn't in great health before she was diagnosed. 

    I've been much luckier and I'm still in good health two and a half years after being given between three and eighteen months to live. Like your Dad, I lost weight whilst on chemo, but I managed to minimise this by eating little and often. Home made soup, smoothies, power shakes, chocolate, full fat milk, cottage cheese, cake - anything I could keep down basically. 

    Wishing you and your Dad good luck - I hope his chemo works for him.

    Best wishes
    Dave 
     

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Hi Dave,

    Thank you so much for your reply and kind words.  We are in touch with a dietition but it's difficult because my dad is finding it so difficult to eat - he's taking fortisip drinks and complan to try and give him the calories he needs, but those are a struggle as he hates the taste and they fill him up so much.  He is quite fussy with his food as it varies each day what he will eat - some days he can eat something and the next the thought of the same food makes him feel sick.

    Unfortunately I think it's the cancer as well as the chemo, as his eating has deteriorated for some before he began chemo.  But hopefully now he has had his last chemo he will pick up.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your mum and yourself.  You sound like you're doing really well, I'm so pleased.  My dad is also trying to eat little and often rather than big meals. Yes I think that's the main thing really is to eat whatever he can keep down!

    Thank you - so far the chemo has worked as it's stopped the growth, but we aren't sure if he will be offered any more.

    I hope you continue to do well :)

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