Introduction
Every year, nearly 16,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with gastric cancer, one of the most common tumor diseases, particularly in men. The average age of onset for patients is just over 70 years. However, younger individuals can also develop the disease if there are hereditary risks, meaning a clustering of certain tumor diseases within the family. The chances of cure and survival increase the earlier the disease is detected and treated. Today, gastric cancer can also be treated effectively even when the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte have a wide range of specialized departments for tumor diseases, which is unique among clinics in North Rhine-Westphalia. Through the close networking of these departments, the center can meet the special needs of people with gastric cancer. In addition to the surgical disciplines with their focus on minimally invasive procedures and internal medicine, including a focus on gastroenterology, the Clinic for Internal Oncology deserves special mention. It has earned a particular reputation as a center for gastric cancer for over 20 years.
Prevention and Symptoms
Unfortunately, gastric cancer only causes characteristic symptoms at a late stage. Warning signs that definitely require a doctor’s visit include persistent nausea and pain in the upper abdomen when eating or even on an empty stomach. Difficulty swallowing with a feeling of food “sticking” should also be medically evaluated. Reduced food intake can lead to weight loss and a decline in physical strength. Additionally, gastric cancer can cause anemia and general weakness through unnoticed so-called oozing bleeding. In all these situations, you should consult your family doctor, who will typically refer you for a gastroscopy to determine whether gastric cancer is actually present.
Early detection of gastric cancer is carried out through a gastroscopy, during which, in addition to examining the gastric mucosa, tissue samples are taken. Gastric cancer is then confirmed by a pathologist examining the tissue samples.
Treatment
At the Gastric Cancer Center Kliniken Essen-Mitte, the individual therapy with the highest chance of cure for each patient is determined before treatment begins as part of an interdisciplinary expert discussion, the so-called tumor board. KEM physicians have helped shape the guidelines for gastric cancer and are particularly qualified to make such a determination and communicate it to the patient.
Complete surgical removal of gastric cancer remains the safest way to permanently overcome the disease. If gastric cancer is detected very early (superficial tumors), the tumor can be removed using endoscopic procedures without opening the abdominal cavity (endoscopic resection). Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, so surgical removal is usually the best treatment when the tumor is locally confined. At KEM, this is now often performed using minimally invasive surgery techniques (“keyhole surgery”). No large abdominal incision, faster healing, and less pain are just a few of the many advantages. The surgery is supported by modern anesthesia techniques and individualized pain therapy. In more than half of patients with localized gastric cancer, the diagnosis is unfortunately only made when the tumor has already grown through the stomach wall or spread to surrounding lymph nodes (locally advanced tumors). In these cases, the guidelines recommend individualized treatment combining chemo-, antibody-, immunotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy is administered before (so-called neoadjuvant therapy) and after (so-called adjuvant therapy) the operation. With this combined approach, far more patients can be cured today than would be possible with surgery alone.
Patients receive comprehensive, high-quality therapy at the center. This means that all aspects that can contribute to recovery or improve patients’ quality of life are taken into account. This ranges from specialized nutritional counseling and therapy, to psycho-oncological support for patients and their families, to physiotherapy. This is also specifically tailored to older patients and can be supplemented by occupational therapy. Opportunities to participate in so-called clinical studies allow patients to benefit from new medications before they are covered by health insurance and thus become available to all patients. In addition, a clinical ethics committee supports all those involved in treatment in decision-making in ethical conflict situations.
Below you will find all contact persons and cooperation partners of the Gastric Cancer Center Kliniken Essen-Mitte:
Contact Persons
- Center Director: Dr. med. Christian Müller
- Deputy Director: Prof. Dr. med. Pier Francesco Alesina
- Medical Coordinator: Dr. med. Sarah Ann-Katrin Busch
- Deputy Medical Coordinator: PD Dr. med. Peter Hoffmann
Tumor conference
The tumor board of the Visceral Oncology Center takes place weekly.
Wednesday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
MVZ Academy, Evang. Huyssens Foundation Essen-Huttrop
Contact: onkologie@kem-med.com
Internal Cooperation Partners
- Department of Surgery
- Clinic for Internal Oncology
- Clinic for General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology & Diabetology
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology
- Department of Palliative Medicine
- Psycho-oncology
- Nutritional counseling
- Social Services (Somatic Care)
- Pastoral care
- Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy
External Cooperation Partners
- Radiation Therapy Ruhr
- Essen-Mitte Center for Pathology
- Center for Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum
- Support Group: A Life Without a Stomach
- Feeling Great! Sports and Cancer – Essen Regional Group
- Cooking – Chatting about Cancer
- Homepage – WIESE e.V. Self-Help Counseling Essen
Counseling Centers and Information Services
- Social Services (Somatic Care)
- Cancer counseling for patients and relatives
- Guideline Program Gastric Cancer
- Guideline Program Esophageal Cancer
- Cancer Society NRW
