Pronounced: gas-TREK-tuh-mee
This is a surgery to remove all or part of the stomach.
Gastrectomy is most often done to treat stomach cancer . It is currently the only way to cure stomach cancer. The use of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery may help improve survival. Even if the cancer is too advanced to be cured, gastrectomy can help to prevent bleeding, obstruction, and pain.
In addition to treating stomach cancer, this surgery may also be done to treat:
If you are planning to have gastrectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Your doctor may do the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery. It is given through an IV in your hand or arm.
The doctor will make an incision in your abdomen. Next, she will use surgical instruments to remove all or part of your stomach. If only part of your stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomy. With this type of surgery, the doctor will connect the remaining part of your stomach to your esophagus and small intestine. If this is done for ulcer disease, the nerves that control acid production may also be cut. If all of your stomach is removed, it is called total gastrectomy. The doctor will attempt to make a new “stomach” using your intestinal tissue. The end of your esophagus will be attached to your small intestine.
If you have stomach cancer, the doctor will likely remove and examine lymph nodes as well. This is because cancer can spread through your lymphatic system.
After the surgery is complete, the doctor will close the muscles and skin of the abdomen with stitches or staples. Lastly, she will apply a dressing.
1-3 hours (or longer)
You will have pain during recovery. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with the pain.
This surgery is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 6-12 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
Your doctor will give you guidelines on:
During the first few days after surgery, you may be restricted from eating. As your stomach stretches during recovery, you will be able to eat more at a time. If you had a total gastrectomy, you will need to eat smaller amounts of foods more often.
After surgery, you may experience:
To treat these symptoms, your doctor will:
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Cancer Agency
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/default.htm/
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
References:
Stomach and esophageal cancer: what treatments are available? The Cancer Council Victoria website. Available at: http://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer1/patients/stomach/whattreatments.htm. Updated February 2008. Accessed September 3, 2009.
Stomach cancer: surgery. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_40.asp?sitearea=. Updated May 2009. Accessed September 3, 2009.
Surgery to remove stomach cancer. Cancer Research UK website. Available at: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3917. Updated December 2008. Accessed September 3, 2009.
What you need to know about stomach cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/stomach/. Published August 2005. Accessed September 3, 2009.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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