The 20 Best Stomach Cancer Doctors near Laguna Hills, CA

What is the definition of Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer occurs when the mucous cells lining the stomach develop abnormalities and become cancerous. The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for 90% of all stomach cancer cases. Other rare types of stomach cancer occur in different areas of the stomach and include gastric lymphomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and carcinoid tumors. Gastric lymphomas are cancers of the stomach’s immune system tissue. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can be either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous and form in a special type of stomach wall cells called the interstitial cells of Cajal, which is a type of muscle tissue. Carcinoid tumors originate in the endocrine and nervous systems and are slow-growing. Stomach cancer is rare before age 50, mostly occurs in individuals over the age of 60, and is common in Japan. While high rates of stomach cancer still occur globally, the overall rates have significantly decreased over the past twenty years. Stomach cancer is categorized based on the following stages: Stage 0 – Carcinoma in Situ is where cell abnormalities occur in the lining of the stomach (mucosa) which may become cancerous and spread (metastasis). Stage 1 (IA and IB) – Cancer has developed in the lining of the stomach (mucosa) and may have spread to the next layer of the stomach (submucosa); Cancer has developed in the lining of the stomach (mucosa) and may have spread to the next layer of the stomach (submucosa) and 1 or 2 near lymph nodes or the stomach muscle layer. Stage II (IIA and IIB) – Cancer may have spread to next lining of stomach (submucosa) and 3- to-6 near lymph nodes; or spread to stomach muscle layer and 1 or 2 near lymph nodes; or has spread to layer of stomach connective tissue. Cancer may have spread to outer lining of stomach (submucosa) and 7-to-15 near lymph nodes; or has spread to stomach muscle layer and 3-to-6 lymph nodes; or has spread to layer of stomach connective tissue and 1 or 2 near lymph nodes; or has spread to the outer wall of the stomach (serosa). Stage III (IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC) – Cancer has spread to stomach muscle and 7-to-15 near lymph nodes; or spread to layer of stomach connective tissue (subserosa) and 3-to-6 near lymph nodes; or spread to layer of stomach connective tissue (subserosa) and 1-to-6 near lymph nodes; or spread to near organs, such as abdominal wall, adrenal gland, back of abdomen, colon, diaphragm, kidney, liver, small intestine, or pancreas. Cancer has spread to next layer of stomach (submucosa) or stomach muscle layer and 16 or more near lymph nodes; or spread to layer of stomach connective tissue (subserosa) or the stomach wall (serosa) and 7-to-15 near lymph nodes; or has spread to near organs, such as abdominal wall, adrenal gland, back of abdomen, colon, diaphragm, kidney, liver, small intestine, or pancreas and 1-to-6 near lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to layer of stomach connective tissue (subserosa) or stomach wall (serosa) and 16 or more near lymph nodes; or has spread to near organs, such as abdominal wall, adrenal gland, back of abdomen, colon, diaphragm, kidney, liver, small intestine, or pancreas and 7 or more near lymph nodes. Stage IV – Cancer has spread to other parts of the body (distant metastasis), such as distant lymph nodes, the liver, lungs, or peritoneum (lining of abdomen). While stomach cancer generally progresses slowly, the stage of stomach cancer determines its treatment and outcome (prognosis).

When should I see a Stomach Cancer doctor near Laguna Hills, CA?

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as:

Your primary care provider recommends it.

Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care.

Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment.

You need specialized testing or procedures.

You want a second opinion.

What should I consider when choosing a Stomach Cancer doctor near Laguna Hills, CA?

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.

How do I find the best Stomach Cancer doctor near Laguna Hills, CA?

You can find a Stomach Cancer doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Stomach Cancer doctor near New York, NY
Stomach Cancer doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Stomach Cancer doctor near Chicago, IL
Stomach Cancer doctor near Houston, TX
Stomach Cancer doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Stomach Cancer doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Stomach Cancer doctor near Atlanta, GA
Stomach Cancer doctor near Boston, MA
Stomach Cancer doctor near Dallas, TX
Stomach Cancer doctor near San Jose, CA

How does MediFind rank Stomach Cancer doctors near Laguna Hills, CA?

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database.

What types of insurance are accepted by Stomach Cancer doctors near Laguna Hills, CA?

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network.

How can I book an appointment online with a Stomach Cancer doctor near Laguna Hills, CA?

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Stomach Cancer doctor search results page.

Why is it important to get a second opinion from a different Stomach Cancer doctor?

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.

How can I prepare for my appointment with a Stomach Cancer doctor near Laguna Hills, CA?

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items:

Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year)

Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see

Family history of disease

List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses

Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.

List of questions and concerns

Your insurance card

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit.

What questions should I ask my Stomach Cancer doctor?

Here are some sample questions:

Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated?

What symptoms or side effects should I watch for?

What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results?

Are there other specialists I need to see?

What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions?

How can I learn about the latest clinical trials and research advances my Stomach Cancer doctor may know about?

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you.

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand.

Can I filter my search to show male or female Stomach Cancer doctors near Laguna Hills, CA?

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Stomach Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers.

Can I filter my search to find a Stomach Cancer doctor that offers video calls?

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Stomach Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls).

Reviewed on: 11/11/24

By: MediFind Medical Staff