Stomach or gastric cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects the cells lining the stomach. It is the fifth most common type of cancer in the world and the third most common cause of death from cancer. Stomach cancer can be treated with several surgical procedures. In this article, we’ll talk about the different surgeries for stomach cancer treatment.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove early-stage stomach cancers or pre-cancerous growths known as polyps. During the surgery, the abnormal tissue is removed with the help of an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube fitted with a camera and surgical tools. The removed tissue is analysed in the lab to see if the cancer has spread.
EMR is a safe and effective way to treat stomach cancer in its early stages. The procedure is usually done with sedation or general anesthesia and takes 30 minutes to an hour. The patient can go home the next day.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a more advanced version of EMR. This procedure removes large precancerous growths or stomach cancers in their early stages. However, ESD is a more complex procedure that allows the surgeon to remove larger tumors and deeper layers of the stomach lining.
During the procedure, the doctor makes a small cut in the lining of the stomach with an endoscope. Then, he or she uses special tools to carefully remove the tumor. The lab then looks at the tissue to see if cancer has spread.
ESD is a safe and effective way to treat stomach cancer in its early stages. The procedure is usually done with sedation or general anaesthesia, and it takes anywhere from two to four hours.
Gastric sleeve surgery
A partial gastrectomy is a surgery that takes out a part of the stomach that has cancer. During the surgery, the surgeon takes out the part of the stomach that has cancer and some healthy tissue around it. The remaining part of the stomach is reconnected to the small intestine.
Partially removing the stomach is a more invasive surgery than EMR or ESD, and it takes longer to recover from. But it works well for people who have bigger tumours or those that have spread past the surface of the stomach lining.
Total Gastrectomy
Total gastrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the entire stomach affected by cancer. During the surgery, the surgeon cuts the oesophagus back to the small intestine and removes the stomach and lymph nodes that are close by. Sometimes, a piece of the oesophagus may also need to be removed.
Total gastrectomy is a major surgery that takes longer to recover from and requires a longer stay in the hospital than partial gastrectomy. But it may be needed for people who have bigger tumours or ones that have spread past the surface of the stomach lining.
Lymph Node Surgery
Lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes near the stomach affected by cancer. During the procedure, the surgeon removes lymph nodes from the surrounding area to determine if the cancer has spread.
Lymph node dissection is often done at the same time as other surgeries, like a partial or full gastrectomy. The procedure can help determine the extent of cancer and guide further treatment decisions.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are ways to treat stomach cancer without surgery. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with drugs, while radiation therapy kills cancer cells with high-energy radiation. These treatments may be used before or after surgery to help shrink the tumour or stop cancer from recurring.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also be used as first-line treatments for people who can’t have surgery. They can be used together or with other treatments like immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. This treatment may be used with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to help the immune system find and kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy may treat advanced-stage stomach cancer or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It may also be used after surgery to stop the cancer from relapsing.
Surgery is a very important part of treating stomach cancer. The type of surgery depends on where and how far along the cancer is, as well as the patient’s overall health. EMR and ESD are minimally invasive procedures that can effectively treat early-stage stomach cancer, while partial and total gastrectomy may be necessary for larger tumours or those that have spread beyond the surface of the stomach lining. Lymph node dissection can also be done with other surgeries to find out how far the cancer has spread. Stomach cancer can be treated without surgery, such as with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
Oncologists need to work closely with the surgical team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes surgical procedures and other treatments as needed. Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments are essential for long-term health and management of the disease. By working with their medical team, people with stomach cancer can treat it comprehensively and improve their quality of life.
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