Extent of surgery
Distal gastrectomy for antral and body tumours, total gastrectomy for proximal or diffuse tumours, with D2 lymphadenectomy along the named gastric vessels. Reconstruction is by Roux-en-Y or Billroth II depending on the resection.
Sequencing with chemotherapy
Perioperative chemotherapy is standard for locally advanced gastric cancer, with restaging before surgery. Staging laparoscopy with peritoneal washings is often performed first to exclude occult peritoneal disease.
Nutrition afterwards
Small frequent meals, dietitian input, lifelong vitamin B12 after total gastrectomy and iron and calcium monitoring. Dumping symptoms are managed with dietary timing and composition.
Common questions
- Can I eat normally after total gastrectomy?
- Most patients eat a normal range of foods but in smaller, more frequent portions, and weight stabilises over three to six months with dietetic support.
This page is general education, reviewed by Dr. Ishaan Allahabadi, MCh Surgical Oncology (Edge Hill, UK) · MS Surgery · MBBS (Accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England). It is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Treatment decisions are made after reviewing your imaging and pathology, in a multidisciplinary tumour board.