Overview
Gastric cancer (stomach cancer) remains one of the most prevalent cancers in Asia, with particularly high incidence rates in China, Japan, and South Korea. For international patients seeking world-class treatment, Shanghai has emerged as a leading destination — combining cutting-edge surgical technology, multidisciplinary oncology teams, and internationally trained specialists.
At China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS), we connect international patients directly with Shanghai's top gastric cancer surgeons, facilitating fast-track consultations, second opinions, and full treatment coordination.
Understanding Gastric Cancer
What Is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer originates in the lining of the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. In East Asia, rates are significantly higher than the global average, making regional expertise particularly advanced.
Common Symptoms
- Persistent indigestion or heartburn
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blood in stool or black stools
- Feeling full after small meals
Risk Factors
- H. pylori infection (the leading modifiable risk factor)
- High-salt, smoked, or preserved food diet
- Family history of gastric cancer
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Previous stomach surgery or chronic gastritis
Diagnosis: What to Expect
Accurate staging is critical for treatment planning. At Ruijin Hospital and other leading Shanghai centers, the diagnostic workup typically includes:
- Gastroscopy with biopsy — the gold standard for diagnosis
- CT scan (chest, abdomen, pelvis) — for staging and metastasis assessment
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — for T-stage and lymph node evaluation
- PET-CT — in selected cases for distant metastasis
- Laparoscopic staging — to rule out peritoneal spread before surgery
- Molecular profiling — HER2, PD-L1, MSI/MMR status for targeted therapy eligibility
Treatment Options in Shanghai
Surgery — The Cornerstone of Curative Treatment
For resectable gastric cancer, surgery remains the primary curative option. Shanghai surgeons are at the forefront of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) gastrectomy, offering patients faster recovery, less blood loss, and reduced complication rates compared to open surgery.
Surgical options include:
- Distal gastrectomy — removal of the lower portion of the stomach
- Total gastrectomy — complete stomach removal with esophagojejunostomy reconstruction
- Proximal gastrectomy — for upper stomach tumors
- D2 lymphadenectomy — the standard of care in East Asia, associated with improved survival
Conversion (Neoadjuvant) Therapy
For locally advanced or borderline resectable cases, conversion therapy — using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy to downstage the tumor before surgery — has become a major area of innovation in Shanghai. Prof. Zang Lu has co-authored China's expert consensus on this approach.
Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
- HER2-positive gastric cancer: Trastuzumab (Herceptin) + chemotherapy
- PD-L1 positive / MSI-H: Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab-based regimens
- VEGFR2 inhibition: Ramucirumab for advanced disease
- FGFR2b-positive: Bemarituzumab (emerging)
Chemotherapy Regimens
Standard perioperative regimens include FLOT (docetaxel, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU) or SOX/XELOX, tailored to patient fitness and molecular profile.
Why Choose Shanghai for Gastric Cancer Treatment?
- Highest surgical volume in Asia — Shanghai surgeons perform thousands of gastrectomies annually, with outcomes data rivaling Japan and South Korea
- Pioneering minimally invasive techniques — fully laparoscopic total gastrectomy is routine at top centers
- Multidisciplinary tumor boards — every complex case reviewed by surgery, oncology, radiology, and pathology
- Advanced molecular diagnostics — comprehensive biomarker profiling available on-site
- Cost-effective world-class care — significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in the US, UK, or Singapore
Featured Specialist: Prof. Zang Lu — Ruijin Hospital
Prof. Zang Lu (臧潞) is one of China's foremost experts in minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery, based at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — consistently ranked among China's top hospitals.
Prof. Zang serves as Deputy Director of General Surgery at Ruijin Hospital and was honored as a 2026 Shanghai Medical Craftsman — one of the highest recognitions for surgical excellence in the city.
Landmark Contributions
- Lead author of China's first Guidelines for Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery — the national standard for minimally invasive gastric surgery
- Co-author of the Expert Consensus on Precision Surgical Conversion Therapy for Gastric Cancer
- Pioneer of fully laparoscopic gastrectomy in China — among the first surgeons to perform and systematize this technique nationally
Clinical Focus
- Laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy (distal, total, proximal)
- D2 lymphadenectomy and extended resections
- Conversion therapy for locally advanced gastric cancer
- Complex reconstruction after total gastrectomy
- Multidisciplinary management of stage III–IV gastric cancer
For international patients, Prof. Zang's team offers remote pre-consultation review of imaging and pathology reports, allowing treatment planning to begin before arrival in Shanghai.
How CMCS Supports Your Journey
Navigating gastric cancer treatment abroad can feel overwhelming. CMCS acts as your dedicated medical concierge — not a hospital, but a trusted bridge between you and Shanghai's best specialists.
Our services include:
- ✅ Direct appointment coordination with Prof. Zang Lu and other top gastric cancer specialists
- ✅ Medical record translation and pre-consultation review
- ✅ Second opinion facilitation
- ✅ Hospital admission and surgical 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 treatment options in Shanghai, our team is ready to help.
📧 Email: contract@medicalsh.com
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/3AM6KAGCW2BAD1
🌐 Website: www.medicalsh.com
CMCS — China Medical Concierge Shanghai. Connecting international patients with Shanghai's finest specialists.
0 comentarios