What is gastric cancer surgery, and why is it necessary?
Gastric cancer surgery involves removing the tumour and surrounding tissue. It is necessary when the cancer is confined to the stomach or nearby structures, or to relieve symptoms such as bleeding or obstruction in advanced cases.
What are the types of surgery?
- Subtotal (partial) gastrectomy: removes the cancerous portion, often for tumours in the lower or middle stomach.
- Total gastrectomy: removes the entire stomach along with nearby lymph nodes.
- Endoscopic resection: for early-stage cancers, using a flexible tube with a camera.
- Palliative surgery: relieves symptoms in advanced cases without curative intent.
How is the best approach determined?
Surgeons weigh the cancer stage, the tumour's location and the patient's general health, using CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy results to decide.
What happens during the operation?
The surgeon removes the tumour with a margin of healthy tissue, performs a lymphadenectomy to clear the regional nodes, and may use minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy where appropriate.
What are the risks and complications?
- Bleeding and infection.
- Anastomotic leak at the surgical join.
- Blood clots.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
- Dumping syndrome.
What is the recovery timeline?
- Hospital stay: typically 7–10 days.
- Diet: progression from liquids to soft foods.
- Activity: light activity encouraged; heavy lifting avoided for 4–6 weeks.
Will I need chemotherapy or radiation as well?
Often, yes. Many patients receive neoadjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterwards, decided by the cancer stage.
How does surgery affect eating and digestion?
- Reduced capacity: smaller, more frequent meals become necessary.
- Nutrient absorption: some nutrients absorb less well and may need supplementation.
- Digestive symptoms: managed through diet and medication.
How should I prepare?
- Pre-surgical testing.
- Stopping smoking and alcohol.
- Optimising nutrition beforehand.
- Emotional preparation, including counselling where helpful.
Surgery offers the best chance of cure in early-stage disease. For advanced cases, combined treatment improves survival.
More on the stomach
Related conditions handled by the same team.
This page is general information about a condition we treat. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an in-person consultation. Bring your reports — they change the answer more than the symptoms do.