Could this be Cancer? What can I do to heyp my friend?

[R.S.V.P.]

I know I have posted this elsewhere today,I need some more advise.

My friend is 27 years old. For the last month or so, he get tired very easily and lose a lot of weight (approx. 20lbs in a month). Few days ago, he had a upper endoscopy and the gastroenterologist told him he has a large tumor in his stomach. The gastroenterologist took some biopsies from the tumor. Today he had a CT scan and it showed a 9 cm large tumor in this stomach. His stomach wall is thick (I have no idea what this mean), and has 4 enlarged lymph nodes around and under his stomach. I am very worry. We are still waiting for the pathology result, which might take another 3 to 4 days. Could this be cancer? If this is, what chances and treatment choices does he have?If it is not, what could this be?What can I do, as his best friend, to help him?

I talked to him today and he seems very worried. His physician said he might need surgery to remove the tumor. It is possible for him not to undergo surgery or anaesthesia?

[Crouching Doggie]

In this age group it may be a GIST tumor, among other things and although most are benign, they can be malignant. We'll have to wait for the path report to come back. If it is, indeed, malignant, then beyond palliative surgery, I beg your pardon but I don't know the current standard chemo/rad. tx for this entity.

[Crouching Doggie]

In this age group it may be a GIST tumor, among other things and although most are benign, they can be malignant. We'll have to wait for the path report to come back. If it is, indeed, malignant, then beyond palliative surgery, I beg your pardon but I don't know the current standard chemo/rad. tx for this entity.

[a simple man]

I am sorry to add anything here. This is bad, and could be very bad. He is going to need the support of friends and family.
The thickness of the wall suggests the tumor is growing into the wall.
The multiple enlarged nodes suggest that it is growing beyond the stomach.
These are things he need to hear from his doctor and not from some guy on the Internet.
Take care of your friend, he will need you.
Old Doc