Overview
While surgery and systemic therapy remain the cornerstones of gastric cancer treatment, a growing body of evidence supports the role of integrative medicine — combining Western oncology with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — in improving outcomes across the full spectrum of gastric cancer care, from prevention and early detection through to advanced disease management.
Shanghai is home to some of the world's leading experts in this integrative approach, and China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) connects international patients with these specialists for comprehensive, whole-patient cancer care.
Understanding Gastric Cancer
What Is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer arises from the mucosal lining of the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer globally and disproportionately prevalent in East Asia, where dietary patterns, H. pylori infection rates, and genetic factors contribute to higher incidence. China accounts for nearly 44% of global gastric cancer cases, making it a major focus of oncological research and clinical innovation.
The Importance of Early Detection
Gastric cancer is highly treatable when detected early — five-year survival rates for stage I disease exceed 90%. However, early-stage gastric cancer is often asymptomatic, and many patients present at an advanced stage. Regular screening (gastroscopy) is recommended for high-risk individuals, particularly those with H. pylori infection, chronic gastritis, or a family history of gastric cancer.
Common Symptoms
- Persistent upper abdominal discomfort or pain
- Unexplained weight loss and reduced appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, or early satiety
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blood in stool or dark/tarry stools
- Fatigue and anaemia
Diagnosis & Staging
- Gastroscopy with biopsy — definitive diagnosis and histological classification
- CT scan (chest/abdomen/pelvis) — locoregional and distant staging
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — T and N staging
- Molecular profiling — HER2, PD-L1, MSI/MMR status for targeted and immunotherapy eligibility
- H. pylori testing — for prevention and risk stratification
Treatment Options: A Full-Spectrum Integrative Approach
Early Gastric Cancer
For early-stage disease, endoscopic resection (ESD/EMR) or minimally invasive surgery offers curative outcomes with minimal impact on quality of life. TCM-based supportive care can be integrated from the outset to support immune function and reduce recurrence risk.
Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer
Standard treatment combines surgery (gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy) with perioperative chemotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy. Integrative TCM protocols are used alongside Western treatment to manage side effects, maintain nutritional status, and support recovery.
Advanced & Metastatic Gastric Cancer
For patients with advanced or metastatic disease, systemic therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) is the primary treatment. TCM plays a particularly important role at this stage — supporting quality of life, managing treatment toxicity, and potentially enhancing the efficacy of Western therapies through immune modulation.
Prevention & Risk Reduction
A unique strength of integrative oncology centers is their focus on cancer prevention. TCM-based interventions — including herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and lifestyle modification — are used alongside Western preventive strategies (H. pylori eradication, endoscopic surveillance) to reduce gastric cancer risk in high-risk individuals.
Why Choose Shanghai for Integrative Gastric Cancer Care?
- National leadership in integrative oncology — Shanghai hosts China's flagship TCM-Western medicine collaborative departments
- Full-spectrum management — from prevention and early detection through to advanced disease and palliative care
- Evidence-based TCM integration — protocols grounded in clinical research, not anecdote
- Culturally familiar for Asian patients — particularly relevant for patients from Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea
- Cost-effective world-class care — significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in the US, UK, or Singapore
Featured Specialist: Prof. Fang Shengquan — Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Prof. Fang Shengquan (方盛泉) is the Director of the Digestive Disease Center at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is one of China's foremost authorities on the integrative prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.
National Leadership
Prof. Fang leads the construction of a National TCM-Western Medicine Collaborative "Flagship" Department — a designation awarded by China's National Health Commission to centers of excellence in integrative medicine. This initiative represents the highest level of institutional recognition for TCM-Western medicine collaboration in oncology in China.
Clinical Philosophy: Full-Course Integrative Management
Prof. Fang advocates for full-course (whole-journey) integrative management of gastric cancer — meaning TCM is not an afterthought or palliative add-on, but an active, evidence-based component of care at every stage: prevention, early detection, surgical support, chemotherapy/immunotherapy adjunct, and long-term survivorship.
Clinical Expertise
- Integrative prevention of gastric cancer — TCM-based risk reduction for high-risk individuals (H. pylori, chronic gastritis, precancerous lesions)
- Early gastric cancer management — integrative protocols supporting endoscopic and surgical treatment
- Advanced gastric cancer — TCM combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy to improve outcomes and quality of life
- Full-course integrative oncology — coordinated TCM-Western medicine care across the entire treatment journey
For international patients, Prof. Fang's team offers remote pre-consultation review of medical records and prior treatment history, enabling a personalized integrative treatment plan to be developed before arrival in Shanghai.
How CMCS Supports Your Journey
CMCS is not a hospital — we are your dedicated medical concierge, providing a trusted bridge between international patients and Shanghai's finest cancer specialists.
Our services include:
- ✅ Direct appointment coordination with Prof. Fang Shengquan and other top integrative oncology specialists
- ✅ Medical record and imaging translation and pre-consultation review
- ✅ Second opinion facilitation
- ✅ Hospital admission and treatment scheduling support
- ✅ Accommodation and logistics coordination in Shanghai
- ✅ Post-treatment follow-up and remote check-in support
Contact CMCS
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with gastric cancer and would like to explore integrative treatment options in Shanghai, our team is ready to help.
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CMCS — China Medical Concierge Shanghai. Connecting international patients with Shanghai's finest specialists.
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