Stomach Cancer Surgery
2 – 6 Hours
General Anesthesia
Several Weeks
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Overview
Stomach cancer is a disease in which cells in the stomach wall grow uncontrollably. Stomach cancer surgery involves the partial or complete removal of the cancerous tissue, depending on the location and stage of the cancer. The goal of surgery is to completely remove the cancer, relieve symptoms, and prolong life expectancy.
Procedure Details
- Procedure: Stomach Cancer Surgery (Gastrectomy) – The specific procedure varies depending on the location, size, and stage of the tumor (subtotal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy, lymph node dissection, etc.)
- Duration: 2-6 hours (depending on the procedure and the patient’s condition)
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia
- Location: Atlas University Hospital – Istanbul
- Possible Side Effects: Bleeding, infection, leakage, nausea, vomiting, dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying), reflux.
- Recovery Time: Hospital stay is usually 5-7 days. Full recovery may take several weeks.
- Expected Outcomes: Complete or partial removal of the cancer, relief of symptoms, prolonged life expectancy, improved quality of life.
Daily Plan
- Day 1:
- Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the hospital.
- Pre-operative consultation and evaluation with your surgeon.
- Completion of necessary tests (endoscopy, biopsy, CT, MRI, etc.).
- Surgical planning and discussion of expectations.
- Day 2:
- Stomach cancer surgery.
- Post-operative care and monitoring (pain control, fluid replacement, etc.).
- Stay in the intensive care unit (if necessary).
- Day 3:
- Post-operative check-up by the surgeon.
- Starting to take fluids (water, sugar-free drinks, etc.).
- Starting walking exercises.
- Transfer to a regular room.
- Day 4-6:
- Hospital stay and recovery.
- Continue liquid diet (soup, yogurt, ayran, etc.).
- Walking and light exercises.
- Pain management and medication information.
- Day 7:
- Discharge from the hospital and transfer to the hotel.
- Day 8-10:
- Rest and recovery at the hotel.
- Transition to soft foods.
- Doctor check-up.
- Day 11:
- Return to your country.
Post-Operative Care
- Follow the diet program recommended by your doctor (liquid, pureed, solid food transitions).
- Use prescription medications regularly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Gradually increase walking and exercise.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment with a local doctor after returning to your country.
- Additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy (if necessary and in your country).
FAQ
- Q: Will there be a scar after stomach cancer surgery?
- A: It varies depending on the surgical method. Open surgery leaves a larger scar, while laparoscopic surgery leaves smaller scars.
- Q: When can I return to a normal diet after surgery?
- A: This depends on your recovery process. It is important to follow the diet program recommended by your doctor.
- Q: What are the risks of stomach cancer surgery?
- A: As with any surgery, there are risks of bleeding, infection, and anesthesia-related complications. There are also risks such as leakage, nausea, and dumping syndrome. Your surgeon will discuss these in detail.
- Q: What is the life expectancy after stomach cancer surgery?
- A: This varies depending on the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and the response to treatment. Life expectancy after surgery is higher in stomach cancers diagnosed at an early stage.