What is Gastric Cancer?
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a disease that develops in the lining of the stomach. Although more common in patients over 60 years old, gastric cancer can affect individuals of any age. Risk factors for gastric cancer include Helicobacter pylori infection, a family history of the disease, smoking, and certain dietary factors.
Diagnosis and Staging
Accurate staging in gastric cancer is vital for successful treatment. Diagnostic procedures may include endoscopy, imaging tests such as CT scans or PET scans. Additionally, staging laparoscopy a keyhole procedure is important to determine the extent of the cancer’s spread within the stomach wall and abdominal cavity.
Multidisciplinary Management
Gastric cancer treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving a team of healthcare professionals with specialised expertise. As well as your surgeon your care may include, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, and other specialists. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive evaluation, personalised treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring to provide the best possible outcome for you.
How is this procedure performed?
Minimally Invasive Approaches:
The extend of gastric surgery depends on the location and stage of your tumour. In recent years, advances in surgical techniques have led to the development of minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of gastric cancer. Minimally invasive techniques involve smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, reduced scarring, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
A Partial or Total Gastrectomy?
A partial gastrectomy – The cancerous part of the stomach is removed, along with nearby fatty tissue, lymph nodes, and part of the small bowel, if necessary. The top part of the stomach and oesophagus is usually left. A loop of bowel is joined to the stomach for food to pass out.
Total gastrectomy – The whole stomach is removed along with nearby fatty tissue, lymph nodes, and parts of the nearby organs (if required). The join is called an anastomosis.
