Stomach Cancer Surgery

Stomach cancer, which is experienced by patients with complaints of indigestion and bloating and causes stomach discomfort; It is a type of cancer that can spread to organs such as the lung, liver or lymph nodes when it develops in a malignant way. People may experience symptoms of stomach cancer along with fatigue, persistent nausea, involuntary weight loss, difficulty swallowing, and back pain. People who apply to a doctor with such symptoms are tested by gastroscopy, biopsy and imaging methods, and then cancer is diagnosed. Gastric cancer surgery, on the other hand, covers operations performed with surgeries and drug applications. In cases that require surgery, the cancerous area is completely or 80% cleaned. After the surgery, patient follow-up and care are very important.

In the article, the points related to stomach cancer and surgery will be explained under the following headings:

• What is stomach cancer?
• How is stomach cancer diagnosed?
• What is gastric cancer surgery?
• What are the risks of gastric cancer surgery?

What is Stomach Cancer?

Cancer that develops as a result of abnormal growth of cells in the stomach is called gastric cancer. Cancer cells develop by originating from glandular cells. When stomach cancer progresses, it can turn into a type of cancer that can enter the stomach wall and blood. Since it can develop in different ways, according to its origins; It is divided into four types as adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma and metastatic cancer.

Conditions that can cause stomach cancer include:

• Adopting a wrong diet is the main factor that can cause cancer. Eating too salty and consuming processed foods can quickly lead to the development of cancer.
• Infections cause stomach cancer. H. plori infection occurs in 85% of gastric cancer patients.
• Excessive use of cigarettes and alcohol increases the likelihood of stomach cancer.
• 10% genetic factors constitute the risk of cancer.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

Tests are needed to diagnose stomach cancer. Through these tests, it is discovered how the cancer has developed and whether it has spread to other organs. The size and location of the cancer can be determined with Computed Tomography (CT), and whether the cancer has spread with laparoscopy and MRI. With other x-rays, the condition of the organs around the stomach is checked. When all these are positive, stomach cancer is diagnosed.

What is Stomach Cancer Surgery?

Treatment methods applied to patients diagnosed with gastric cancer are carried out within the framework of gastric cancer surgery. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be applied before surgical procedures or both at the same time. The processes of killing cancer cells by means of X-rays and protons are provided by radiation. In particular, radiation therapy is performed before surgery, aiming to shrink the tumor. In chemotherapy applications, cancer cells are killed with chemicals. In this application as drug therapy, chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout the body. Again, the aim is to shrink the tumor by applying it before the surgery.

With the development of technology in gastric cancer surgery, many different methods have developed. These methods are selected in accordance with the course and spread of the cancer. Among the methods used, the following four applications stand out:

1. Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

This surgical application is performed in cases where the cancer first develops. It is a surgical procedure in which early-stage tumors are removed from the stomach lining. Procedures are performed under the guidance of the camera sent to the stomach through the endoscope.

2. Subtotal Gastrectomy

With the development of cancer, a large part of the stomach is affected by cancer. In such cases, removal of the cancer-affected area or the entire stomach is performed using robotic surgery. In all procedures, the process takes place with the movement of robotic arms through the holes drilled in the patient's abdomen. The recovery process of the patient after this operation is quite fast.

3. Open Surgery

Open surgery is the removal of the entire tumor area or the stomach through a large incision on the abdomen. After the procedure, the esophagus is connected to the small intestine and the digestive system takes place in this way. In the post-operative period, the patient cannot return to his daily activities directly. It may take time to do so.

4. Laparoscopic Surgery

In this method, a path is followed as robotic surgery. Very small holes are made in the abdomen of the patient and operations are performed here by both the robot and the doctor. Depending on the stage of the cancer, the surgery is completed by removing all or part of the stomach.

What are the Risks of Stomach Cancer Surgery?

After gastric cancer surgery, it is very important for the patient to change their eating habits and adapt to a special diet. When such differences are not present, and specifically if he continues to use cigarettes and alcohol, life-threatening risks may increase. Abdominal cramps are more common after surgery, but they go away over time. Since the treatment continues with regular check-ups after the surgery, it is important not to disrupt or risk them