Gastric Cancer Treatment in Lahore
Gastric (stomach) cancer often causes only mild, easy-to-dismiss symptoms in its early stages, which is why it is frequently diagnosed later than it should be. Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood provides expert evaluation, endoscopic diagnosis, and surgical treatment for gastric cancer in Lahore, with a focus on early detection and a clear, honest treatment plan for every patient.
Understanding Gastric Cancer
The stomach is divided into several regions — the cardia, fundus, body, antrum and pylorus — and cancer can develop in any of them, though the antrum and body are most commonly affected. Most gastric cancers begin in the cells lining the stomach wall. Risk factors include H. pylori infection, a diet high in salted or smoked foods, smoking, and a family history of stomach cancer.
Warning Signs — See a Doctor Promptly
- Persistent indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t improve with treatment
- Difficulty swallowing, or food feeling stuck
- Feeling full quickly, even after a small meal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent abdominal pain, usually in the upper abdomen
- Vomiting blood or black, tarry stools — signs of bleeding
These symptoms are often mistaken for ordinary indigestion. If they last more than two to three weeks, or keep coming back despite treatment, they need proper evaluation.
How Is Gastric Cancer Diagnosed?
The key investigation is an upper GI endoscopy, which allows direct visualisation of the stomach lining and biopsy of any suspicious area. If cancer is confirmed, a CT scan — and sometimes a small diagnostic laparoscopy — is used to check the extent of the disease and plan the right treatment.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the tumour’s location and stage, and is best planned by a multidisciplinary team.
- Surgery — subtotal or total gastrectomy (removal of part or all of the stomach), along with removal of nearby lymph nodes
- Chemotherapy — often given both before and after surgery to improve outcomes
- Radiotherapy — used in select cases, sometimes combined with chemotherapy
- Palliative treatment — for advanced disease, including stenting to relieve blockage and measures to maintain nutrition and comfort
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Gastric cancer is far more treatable when found before it has spread beyond the stomach. Because early symptoms are often mild, don’t wait for them to become severe — persistent indigestion or any of the warning signs above deserve a proper endoscopic check, not just antacids.
Book a Consultation in Lahore
If you have persistent indigestion or any of the warning signs above, please don’t delay seeking assessment. Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood — General, Laparoscopic & Laser Surgeon with over 30 years of experience — provides expert, compassionate care for gastric and other GI cancers in Lahore.
👉 Book a consultation today, or call 0300-4130159.