Why is gastrectomy for gastric cancer done by the traditional open surgery?

Question

"Gastrectomy for gastric cancer is almost always done by the traditional "open" surgery technique, which requires a wide incision to open the abdomen."

…

"Only patients with early stage gastric cancers or those whose surgery is only intended for palliation-pain and symptomatic relief rather than cure-should be considered for this minimally invasive technique."

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Why is laparoscopic surgical technique most often used for gastric cancer patient?

What are the risks and benefits of having a traditional open abdomen surgery instead of a laparoscopic surgery?

How does a laparoscopic surgery affect the treatment of gastric cancer?

Answer 1

During cancer surgeries, there is typically a lot of lymph node sampling done, and they may also do omentectomy or other things, depending on what they find when they get in there.

One thing that laparoscopic surgery does not allow is the sense of touch.  Surgeons may want to feel if the omentum or livier is nodular, or if lymph nodes are hard, or whatever else they do when they're in there.  Laparoscopic surgery is done with instruments and TV screens. No touching with fingers.

I've seen a fair number of surgeries that start out as one thing, and end up as something totally different once the extent of the disease is realized.

Answer 2

Like any cancer, treatment for Gastric Cancer is adapted to fit each person's individual needs and depends on the size, location, and extent of the tumor, the stage of the disease, and general health. Cancer of the stomach is difficult to cure unless it is found in an early stage (before it has begun to spread). Unfortunately, because early stomach cancer causes few symptoms, the disease is usually advanced when the diagnosis is made. Treatment for stomach cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. New treatment approaches such as biological therapy and improved ways of using current methods are being studied in clinical trials.

Laparoscopic surgery is not most often used for Gastric cancer patient ( as You have mentioned ) The Gastrectomies still are the best ways to treat advanced Gastric cancer patients. Since, Laparoscopic surgery is mostly done in the back and is limited to operations within the abdominal or pelvic cavities through 2-3 cm incisions. For Gastric Cancer patients it is just useless and waste of time to even try it to cure them with that procedure because the cancer will not get cured 100 % and it will spread back. But Yes, if in case the patient can not undergo an open surgery operation due to his physical condition then Laparosopic surgery is the best idea to reduce the size of tumor in the patient's stomach ( again Laparosopic surgery can't be done on every such patient).

Gastrectomies do have their disadvantages but it's the only hope to completely cure Gastric Cancer patients that have no other alternatives.

Wishing You All The Best !