OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of combined resection of neighbouring organs that have been invaded by cancer in patients with potentially curable, but advanced, gastric cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective follow up study. SETTING: University department of surgery. SUBJECTS: 204 patients (from a consecutive series of 745 who had had gastric resection for cancer) all of whom had undergone potentially curative operations for advanced disease: 91 had had combined resection of other invaded organs. RESULTS: Five year survival was 65% for 113 patients who had gastrectomy alone and 46% for 91 patients who also had other affected organs resected (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: We recommend resection of all organs that have been invaded by cancer, provided that there is no evidence such as widespread nodal involvement, peritoneal dissemination, or extensive hepatic metastases, that would make cure impossible.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of combined resection of neighbouring organs that have been invaded by cancer in patients with potentially curable, but advanced, gastric cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective follow up study. SETTING: University department of surgery. SUBJECTS: 204 patients (from a consecutive series of 745 who had had gastric resection for cancer) all of whom had undergone potentially curative operations for advanced disease: 91 had had combined resection of other invaded organs. RESULTS: Five year survival was 65% for 113 patients who had gastrectomy alone and 46% for 91 patients who also had other affected organs resected (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: We recommend resection of all organs that have been invaded by cancer, provided that there is no evidence such as widespread nodal involvement, peritoneal dissemination, or extensive hepatic metastases, that would make cure impossible.