Disease Overview：Gastric cancer（GC）
Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, is a malignant neoplasm arising from the gastric mucosa—most commonly adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include chronic *Helicobacter pylori* infection, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dietary nitrosamines, smoking, and familial predisposition (e.g., hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome linked to *CDH1* mutations). Early-stage disease is often asymptomatic; later presentations may include persistent epigastric pain, early satiety, unintentional weight loss, hematemesis, or melena. Diagnosis relies on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with targeted biopsies, followed by staging via contrast-enhanced CT, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and occasionally PET-CT or laparoscopy. Treatment is stage-dependent: endoscopic resection for T1a lesions; radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for resectable localized disease; perioperative chemotherapy (e.g., FLOT regimen) or chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cases; and palliative systemic therapy—including HER2-targeted agents (trastuzumab) or immune checkpoint inhibitors—for metastatic disease.
China offers distinct advantages in gastric cancer management: its high-volume centers—such as Peking University Cancer Hospital and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center—perform over 10,000 gastrectomies annually, fostering deep surgical expertise and standardized multidisciplinary tumor boards. Advanced technologies—including robotic-assisted gastrectomy, intraoperative fluorescence imaging, and next-generation sequencing for molecular profiling—are widely integrated. Five-year survival for Stage II–III patients exceeds 55% in top-tier institutions, reflecting rigorous quality control and protocol adherence. Crucially, comprehensive care—including diagnostics, surgery, adjuvant therapy, and follow-up—is typically 40–60% less expensive than in the US or Western Europe, without compromising clinical standards.
As a dedicated medical tourism agency, we facilitate seamless access to these resources for international patients: verifying hospital accreditation, coordinating appointments with certified gastro-oncologists and surgeons, providing itemized, transparent pricing in advance, arranging medical visas and local logistics, and offering bilingual case management throughout treatment and recovery.
Medical Treatment Guide
Treatment Options & Itemized Cost Breakdown: Gastric Cancer (Gastroenterology Department)
Non-Surgical / Conservative / Medication Options
*Indicated for early-stage (T1a), unresectable, metastatic, or medically inoperable patients; requires confirmed histopathology and molecular profiling (HER2, MSI, PD-L1).*
- •Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): For T1a N0 tumors ≤2 cm, well-differentiated, no ulceration.
- Procedure fee: $1,450–$2,100 (Grade 3A hospital, endoscopist seniority tiered)
- •Systemic Chemotherapy (e.g., SOX/FOLFOX): Locally advanced (T3/T4 or N+) or metastatic disease.
- Total (6 cycles): $5,340
- •Targeted Therapy (Trastuzumab): HER2+ metastatic gastric cancer.
- •Immunotherapy (Sintilimab): PD-L1 CPS ≥5 or MSI-H/dMMR tumors.
Surgical / Procedural / Interventional Options
*Eligibility: Clinical stage I–III, ECOG PS 0–2, adequate cardiopulmonary reserve, no distant metastasis on staging laparoscopy/CT/PET-CT.*
- •Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy: Standard for distal third tumors.
- Surgery + anesthesia + 5-day admission: $4,900–$6,300
- •Total Gastrectomy (Open/Laparoscopic): For proximal/cardia tumors or multifocal disease.
- Surgery + 7-day admission: $6,200–$7,800
- •Palliative Gastrectomy or Bypass: For obstruction/bleeding in stage IV with limited metastases.
Special / Complex Condition Options
- •Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation (for borderline resectable T4/N+):
- Concurrent capecitabine: $420
- •Perioperative Immunotherapy + Chemo (clinical trial setting):
- •Liver Metastasectomy (with primary resection):
Quick Selection Guide
- •<65 years, Stage I, no comorbidities: ESD ($1,570–$2,220) — curative, minimal recovery.
- •65–75 years, Stage II–III, mild COPD/HTN: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy ($5,730–$7,130) — optimal balance of oncologic safety and recovery.
- •>75 years or severe comorbidities (NYHA III/IV, eGFR <30): Palliative chemotherapy (SOX: $5,340) or best supportive care only.
- •Stage IV with liver-only mets & good PS: Total gastrectomy + metastasectomy ($9,730–$11,430) — offers longest median OS.
- •Budget-constrained (<$3,000): Palliative bypass ($3,100–$4,400) or single-agent S-1 ($1,680 for 6 cycles).
Pricing & Service Differences: International / VIP Dept vs. Regular Clinic
International Medical Services (IMS / VIP Departments) at Grade-3A public hospitals and private international clinics operate under self-regulated VIP fee schedules. Fees are higher than standard public clinics (which are subsidized solely for domestic citizens and do not accept overseas insurances). In exchange, international patients receive 6 exclusive medical privileges:
Recommended Hospitals
Explore selected Grade 3A public hospitals in China with rich clinical experience for this condition:
🌴 Recommended Gastric cancer Medical Vacation Packages
Curated transparent all-inclusive packages combining Gastric cancer treatment with China top medical destinations:
