Weight Loss, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery

Upper Gastrointestinal, Oesophageal & Stomach Surgery

Cancer Screening, Endoscopy / Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy

Keyhole and General Surgery

Emergency and Acute Care Surgery

Stomach Cancer Treatment: Endoscopic Screening and Minimally Invasive Surgery (Gastrectomy)

Picture of Dr. Tan Chun Hai

Dr. Tan Chun Hai

Fellowship Trained Specialist in Keyhole Stomach Cancer Surgery
MBBS (Melbourne), Masters of Medicine (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (General Surgery)

Introduction

What is Stomach or Gastric Cancer?

Stomach cancer (or gastric cancer) develops when cells in the stomach grow and divide uncontrollably. Over time, they can grow into cancerous tumours.

While the cause of the disease is unknown, certain disorders can raise one’s risk. They include Helicobacter Pylori infection, ulcers, polyps and gut inflammation known as gastritis.

The primary treatment for all stages of stomach cancer is surgery, which may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Surgery involves the partial or total removal of the stomach where the cancer is contained. For early-stage stomach cancers, surgery alone may be sufficient.

How lethal is Stomach Cancer?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), stomach cancer is the 3rd most lethal cancer worldwide. In Singapore, it is the 4th and 5th most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women respectively, claiming about 300 lives each year.

In the majority of cases, stomach cancer is only diagnosed in the later stages. Hence, it is crucial to go for early screening or consult a doctor for symptoms relating to the stomach and abdomen.

Who is at risk?

What are the symptoms?

Stomach cancer often may not indicate symptoms or signs. When symptoms occur, they may be vague and can include those listed below.

Some of these symptoms can also be caused by many other illnesses, including stomach ulcers, or Helicobacter Pylori infection.

How can it be prevented?

Go for early screening. Early detection of gastric cancer can be curative with surgery. This will lead to a more successful outcome and better survival.

Here are some ways you can reduce your risk factors:

Wish to go for screening or seek a 2nd opinion on your diagnosis?

Make an appointment to consult Dr. Tan Chun Hai today.

Diagnosis & Treatment

How is Stomach Cancer Detected?

An endoscopy or gastroscopy is the most common way of detecting abnormalities within the stomach. This is carried out by inserting a thin flexible tube through the mouth which gives your doctor an internal view of your upper gastrointestinal tract.

This procedure is done with sedation. If there are polyps detected, they will be removed. Should there be tumours, a Biopsy and CT scan is then carried out to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Another way of detecting stomach cancer is by using GASTROClear™. This is the first approved miRNA-based biomarker for early detection of gastric cancer that can be used in conjunction with endoscopy. Dr. Tan offers GASTROClear™ in his practice.

What is the Treatment for Stomach Cancer?

The only curative treatment for stomach cancer (that is not considered palliative), is surgery. Surgery is regarded as the main form of treatment for all stages of stomach cancer and may be combined with endoscopic therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery involves the partial or total removal of the stomach, where the cancer starts. This procedure is known as a partial or total gastrectomy: 

Partial Gastrectomy involves removing the lower portion of the stomach and reconnecting the remaining section to the small intestine.

Total Gastrectomy involves removing the entire stomach and connecting the oesophagus directly to the small intestine.

Open vs Keyhole Surgery

A Gastrectomy can be carried out through standard open surgery or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Whereas an open surgery requires long incisions made in the abdomen, laparoscopic surgery only requires small incisions and is carried out with the use of specialised keyhole instruments.

Because the procedure is less invasive, keyhole surgery offers the advantage of having smaller wounds, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery. At Surgicare, Dr. Tan specialises in providing keyhole surgery when surgical repair is needed and where applicable.

20+ Years of Clinical Experience

Dr. Tan Chun Hai

Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric & Stomach Cancer Surgeon

Endoscopy & Minimally-Invasive Surgery Specialist

Dr. Tan Chun Hai is a dual fellowship-trained specialist in Laparoscopic (keyhole) Stomach Cancer Surgery and Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery. He is proficient in minimally invasive surgical techniques, treating conditions such as gallstones, appendicitis, GERD, and upper gastrointestinal cancers of the stomach and oesophagus.

In addition to his surgical expertise, Dr Tan specialises in performing endoscopies and managing a wide range of digestive disorders. These include abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

When applicable, Dr. Tan provides same-day treatment within a few hours of diagnosis. Dr. Tan subscribes to a less invasive practice, promoting less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays.

Have a digestive health concern?

Send us your enquiry or give us a call at 6250 5610

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Stomach cancer causes about 800,000 deaths annually worldwide.

In Singapore, stomach cancer is the 7th most common cancer in men, and the 9th most common cancer in women. An average of 509 people get diagnosed with stomach cancer every year, and 317 people die of stomach cancer every year.

In Singapore stomach cancer are the 4th and 5th cause of cancer death in males and females respectively.

Gastric cancer is curable if diagnosed at an early stage, but is traditionally associated with poor prognosis due to late-stage diagnosis. 79% of patients are diagnosed at stage IV (means cancer cells have spread to other organs), and the 5-year survival rates is less than 5%.

Having first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) with stomach cancer may increase your risk of developing the disease.

However, most people diagnosed with stomach cancer do not have a family history.

If you have a family history of stomach cancer, especially in multiple relatives or at a young age, it is advisable to discuss your risk with a healthcare professional.

Screening procedures, such as gastroscopy, can help identify abnormalities early, enabling timely intervention.

The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found.

The average 5-year survival rate for people with stomach cancer is 32%. 62% of patients are diagnosed with stomach cancer when cancer cells are already spread beyond the stomach organ. If stomach cancer is found before it has spread, the 5-year survival rate is generally higher but that depends on the stage of the cancer found during surgery.

If the cancer is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the stomach, the 5-year survival rate is 70%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 32%. If the cancer has spread to a distant part of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 6%.

While surgery is considered the primary treatment option for all stages of stomach cancers, there are other treatment options that may be deployed by your specialist team:

Endoscopic therapy involves the removal of tumors via Gastroscopy, without the need for surgery. Endoscopic therapy is usually only applicable for stomach cancer in the early stages and recommended by your surgeon on a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Tan also works closely with a team of medical oncologists and radiologists to provide comprehensive cancer care for his patients. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to inhibit cancer cells and slow down the growth of tumors. Radiotherapy on the other hand, uses high-energy rays to combat cancer cells in the affected area of the body.

Stomach cancer surgery is generally safe, particularly when performed by experienced surgeons and supported by modern techniques like minimally invasive surgery.

Studies have shown that these approaches reduce complications and improve recovery outcomes. Risks, such as infection or bleeding, are minimised through thorough pre-surgery assessments and thorough postoperative care.

A consultation with our stomach cancer specialist starts from SGD 200, excluding GST.

The cost of stomach cancer surgery and treatment overall depends on the specific procedure and the complexity of each case, factoring in surgeon fees, hospital charges, and consumables.

To receive an accurate estimate, book an appointment to consult with our doctor today.

As stomach cancer surgery is assigned a surgical code, it can be subsidised through your health insurance plan or Medisave.

Additionally, fees for doctor consultations and aftercare may be claimable if patients undergo treatments associated with a surgical code.

For further clarification, please contact our clinic or consult your health insurance provider.

At Surgicare, we provide specialised care for stomach cancer, led by Dr. Tan, who focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of this condition.

Dr. Tan completed his fellowship in laparoscopic stomach cancer surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) under the guidance of Professor Hyung-Ho Kim. During this time, he performed and assisted in numerous laparoscopic gastric cancer surgeries, refining his expertise in treating gastric cancer.

Dr. Tan collaborates closely with a dedicated team of medical oncologists and radiologists to provide comprehensive cancer care. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that each patient receives personalised and well-coordinated treatment tailored to their specific needs.