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Stomach cancer or gastric cancer tends to develop slowly over a period of years. In this cancer, malignant cells manifest in the stomach or stomach lining. The kinds of stomach tumors are lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumor, or gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Surgery For Stomach Cancer

The main treatment for stomach cancer is surgery. Surgery may be performed to remove all the cancerous cells and in some cases a portion or all of the stomach, depending on how far the cancer has progressed. The surgeon will always try to save as much of the stomach as possible.

Presently, stomach cancer surgery is the only option for all stages of this cancer. In case the cancer is too pervasive and cannot be removed completely, palliative surgery may be conducted to keep the stomach from getting blocked or to stop the bleeding from the tumor.

Surgical Procedures

Three kinds of surgical procedures are employed with regard to stomach cancer surgery.

• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: In this stomach cancer procedure, removal of a portion of the organ or tumor is done with the help of an endoscope. This method can be used only for someone in the initial stages of stomach cancer.
• Subtotal or Partial Gastrectomy: If the cancer is located in the lower part of the stomach near the intestines, this procedure is employed. Only a small portion of the stomach is removed along with nearby lymph nodes that may be affected. In some cases, a portion of the esophagus may also be removed.
• Total Gastrectomy: If the cancer has advanced and spread throughout the stomach, total gastrectomy is the only option. Here, the entire stomach is removed along with the lymph nodes in close proximity; a worst case scenario would be the removal of parts of the intestines, esophagus, pancreas, and other affected organs as well. In a total gastrectomy, the surgeon creates a new stomach from intestinal tissue.

Recovery

After surgery, the patient will be watched closely by the doctor. Physical exams and blood tests will be scheduled to check for any symptoms of recurrence or to manage side effects. The patient will need to go for regular check-ups every 4 to 6 months for the first 3 years. Additionally, the patient will also have to make certain dietary changes. A nutritionist will be able to help draw up a diet plan suited for you. Vitamin blood tests are also necessary for those who have had the upper portion of the stomach removed. Doctors may give the patient vitamin supplements as well as B12 injections. Doctors also recommend a little bit of physical activity to reduce fatigue.

Side Effects

Stomach cancer surgery complications include blood clots, leaks where new connections have been made between the stomach and the small intestine or the esophagus, bleeding due to the surgery, damage to organs close to the stomach like the pancreas and gallbladder, shortage of vitamins, heartburn, and abdominal pain after eating.

Diet After Stomach Cancer Surgery

After a stomach surgery, the patient should eat high amounts of protein and avoid carbs and sweets. The patient should also eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Foods To Avoid

• Foods rich in fiber
• Sweets
• Fried foods
• Meats that are difficult to chew

Food with refined grains is a good option.

References

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001270/
• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/stomach/page8
• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/stomach
• http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html

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