My mom has been diagnosed with gastric cancer.  She is 62 years of age and very heatlhy otherwise.  When the ct scans show that the cancer has spread to her spine, is an operation on the stomach a wise decision, or should chemo and radiation be the better option.  Who would do such a surgery?  A sergical doctor or an oncologist?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. As the cancer is spread to the spine therefore it can be regarded as stage 4 disease. In a cancer workup, it will help to do a whole body PET scan and then confirm if there is disease spread to any other organ or only to the spine. Irrespective of whether there is any other disease spread, the patient is usually treated only by chemotherapy and radiation for stage 4 cancer. Surgery if required is to be done to avoid bleeding from the ulcer and in many cases patients can bleed a lot and this must be taken care of in your mother. As she is in good general condition right now, it's important to discuss with the oncosurgeon if there is a need to treat the stomach ulcer by surgery to give her pain relief and prevent bleeding. Rest of the treatment is to be given by medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. Please do not worry.