Linitis Plastica Stomach Cancer

Hello George S,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Karen and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

I’m so sorry to hear of your friend’s diagnosis of Linitus plastica, which is a rare type of stomach cancer. This must be a very difficult time for them and for you as their friend and it’s only natural to be feeling a range of emotions.

Supporting someone with cancer and knowing what to say can be difficult too. It’s important to get the support you need, George S. You may wish to take a look at the Macmillan friends and family forum to share experiences and get support from others who also have a friend with cancer and are having treatment.  

You mention that your friend has started immunotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. It’s good to hear that they have started to feel better after their first treatment, however they are also feeling a little tired. A common side effect of chemotherapy, and also the other treatments, is fatigue and tiredness. This information on coping with tiredness may be helpful for your friend.

You mention that you strongly believe that every disease can be fought with food or other things from mother nature.

 At Macmillan, we recommend a healthy well-balanced diet, where your friend is able to during their treatments. They can also seek advice from their hospital clinical nurse specialist or be referred to a dietician, if they are struggling with eating problems or loss of appetite, as this can also be a common effect of cancer and/or its treatments. We have some general information about diet and food supplements, but advice should be sought by their treatment team before considering any food supplements.

 It’s important to convey that alternative therapies have not been scientifically proven to cure cancer or slow its growth. Using some alternative therapies may be harmful and could have an adverse effect on conventional medicine and treatments, could stop the treatments working or can be harmful. If your friend is considering alternative therapies, we strongly advise them speaking to their treatment team for support and advice before going ahead.

 There is some evidence that complementary therapies can be beneficial to help people to cope physically and emotionally with the effects of cancer and its treatments, alongside conventional treatments.  

 We may be able to explain more and support you better over the telephone, please don’t hesitate to give one of our nurses a call on the support line.

If you have any information or support needs, the Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support.

Best wishes

Karen, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/Khe/GeS

Thank you for your quick reply. I hope you are having a good day. I would like to ask what are those alternative/complementary treatments that she can do. Also all the doctors say that this is not curable.However, a member of this community said he beated it.Also,after her first chemotherapy is not feeling any pain. According to her doctors she would be dead after 6 months but after 14 months she is here with us.She is taking a lot of painkillers though

Hi George S,

Thanks for getting back in touch. My name is Fiona and I’m one of Karen’s colleagues on the Support Line.

It’s good to hear that your friend is not feeling any pain after her chemotherapy.

You have asked what complementary therapies your friend could use. There are different types, and some are available within cancer centres. Your friend can ask the team when she attends hospital if there are any available there.

Some examples of complementary therapies are massage, acupuncture, homeopathy and counselling. You can read more in our booklet Cancer and complementary therapies.

We cannot advise if a person should use a complementary therapy or which therapy to use. They should discuss this with their treatment team.

As Karen noted in her reply, your friend would need to discuss any alternative therapy with her treatment team. Some alternative therapies can have an impact on cancer treatment.

You mention having read someone else’s experience of Linitus plastica. Each person has their individual story. How a person responds will depend on the stage of the cancer, the grade of the cancer, any underlying health conditions and the person’s general wellbeing as well as what treatment they can have. This makes it difficult to compare stories and outcomes as we don’t always have all the relevant information.

I hope you are taking time to look after yourself whilst supporting your friend.

I hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back in touch if you want more information or support.

Best wishes,

Fiona P,

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: FP/LiR