Does stage 1b gastric cancer affect life expectancy?

Stage 1b gastric cancer may affect life expectancy, but proper treatment can significantly prolong survival and even achieve a cure. Specific factors that affect life expectancy include the patient's physical condition, the choice and implementation of treatment options, postoperative recovery, and the risk of disease progression. Through standardized treatment and health management, patients still have a greater chance of survival.

1. Understand the characteristics and impact of stage 1b gastric cancer

Stage 1b gastric cancer is an early or middle stage of gastric cancer. The lesions have usually penetrated deep into the stomach wall, but have not yet spread to a large extent. Cancer at this stage can still be controlled or even cured through effective treatments. Generally speaking, the 5-year survival rate of stage 1b gastric cancer can reach more than 70%, but it varies from person to person.

The key to life expectancy lies in whether cancer treatment is timely and whether standardized treatment procedures are followed. For example, early surgical removal of the lesion, combined with necessary adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy, can effectively inhibit the spread of cancer cells, thereby improving survival rates. Ignoring or delaying treatment may cause cancer to progress to an advanced stage, significantly shortening life expectancy.

2. Effective treatment methods and recommended plans

Standardized treatment for stage 1b gastric cancer mainly includes surgical resection, chemotherapy and other adjuvant treatments. The following are three core treatment methods:

-Surgical resection: Suitable for most stage 1b patients, usually through thoracoscopic surgery or laparotomy, complete removal of the cancer and some surrounding lymph nodes to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.

-Chemotherapy: Adjuvant chemotherapy (such as XELOX chemotherapy regimen) after surgery can further eliminate tiny residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis. Chemotherapy drugs commonly used are oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine.

-Targeted therapy: For HER2-positive patients, targeted therapy combining Herceptin (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy can be used to inhibit the growth rate of cancer cells and improve the treatment effect.

3. Importance of health management and postoperative recovery

The recovery period after surgery and treatment is also crucial to prolonging life. Patients need to pay attention to physical conditioning in their daily lives. It is recommended to do the following:

-Diet management: Take a light, nutritionally balanced semi-liquid or soft diet, supplemented with high-protein, high-energy foods (such as chicken breast, fish, and soy products). Avoid spicy, smoked, and other irritating foods.

-Regular follow-up: Follow the doctor's advice and undergo imaging examinations (such as gastroscopy, CT) and tumor marker tests every 3-6 months to detect changes in the condition early.

-Moderate exercise: Gradually increasing physical exercise after surgery, such as short walks or simple yoga movements, can help improve immunity and overall physical fitness.

Stage 1b gastric cancer affects life expectancy, but through early intervention and standardized treatment, patients are expected to have a higher chance of being cured. More importantly, after treatment, it is important to actively manage health and adjust psychologically, maintain close communication with the attending physician, and follow up for a long time to extend the disease-free survival period as much as possible, creating a higher quality of life for the family and the individual.