The stomach is a muscular structure resembling a J-shaped sack, it functions mainly as a reservoir for food, located in the upper and left part of the abdomen and a critical part of the digestive organ of the gastrointestinal system. It produces enzymes (Substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mixture of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass into our small intestine (duodenum). Stomach cancer, also referred to as stomach cancer, can occur anywhere, in any part of the stomach (Roma, Body, also called the proximal stomach and Antrum and Pylorus, also called the distal part of the stomach) – where the abnormal growth of malignant cells, invading the stomach and adjacent and distant organs such as liver Lung, peritoneum and bones etc. Symptoms of Stomach Cancer The main symptoms of stomach cancer include: • Difficulty swallowing • Feeling full or bloated even after eating small amounts of food • Heartburn or acidity • Indigestion combined with nausea and vomiting • Severe stomach pain • Ascome weight loss Causes of stomach cancer There is no clear reason for what can cause stomach cancer. However, risk factors that can cause this condition include: • Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease • Being overweight • Eating a low-fiber diet • Bad eating habits such as eating high-salt food, fried potatoes • Family history • Infection with Helicobacter pylori • Chronic gastritis • Smoking • Stomach polyps Diagnosis Stomach cancer is diagnosed with various tests, including blood tests and imaging tests such as endoscopic ultrasound, CT, PET-CT, biopsy or diagnostic laparoscopy. ). Over the past decade, surgical techniques for the treatment of stomach cancer have grown by leaps and bounds, providing significant relief to patients undergoing gastric cancer treatment that requires the exceptional expertise of Surgical Oncologists (gastrointestinal surgeons). Over the past decade or more, surgical treatment for stomach cancers has seen unparalleled medical progress, with the emergence of minimally invasive procedures such as robotic, laparoscopic procedures that ensure faster recovery. What is a gastrectomy? Gastrectomy is defined as the complete or partial removal of the stomach for the treatment of various medical conditions mainly for cancer. Gastrectomy is of four types – Total Gastrectomy, Subtotal Gastrectomy, Peripheral Gastrectomy extended total gastrectomy (distal feeding tube removal) and Proximal Gastrectomy. Advantages of Minimally Invasive Robotic, Laparoscopic Gastrectomy Procedures Open surgery, laparoscopy, or robotic surgery. The principles include the same – removal of cancer and surrounding structures (in case of metastasis) without compromising treatment. Minimally invasive surgical procedures provide a better outcome than open surgery in patients undergoing gastrectomy for the treatment of stomach cancer. Extensively trained gastrointestinal surgeons adopt either robotic or laparoscopic procedures to provide faster, safer and feasible alternatives to conservative open surgery. Some of the advantages of minimally invasive procedures are: • Reduced post-operative pain • Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery • Minimal scarring • Less stress on the immune system • Smaller incisions • Less chance of infection and hernia formation How is laparoscopic gastrectomy performed? Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a widely recommended and adopted minimally invasive surgery to eliminate cancer cells, even in locally advanced stages of stomach cancer. During the procedure, surgeons make several small incisions (keyholes). Surgical instruments are sent inside to access the diseased part for dissection and removal. Surgery aimed at eliminating cancer cells may take a little longer compared to open gastrectomy, but the patient will recover faster due to less blood loss and pain. It has 2D vision and the ergonomics of the instruments are difficult due to the straight instruments. The patient could resume normal activities and eat normally within a week or longer. How is robotic gastrectomy performed? Robotic-assisted gastrectomy is done by making a small incision (keyhole) measuring up to 8 to 12 mm, in the navel and three other small incisions for auxiliary instruments in the upper abdomen. The surgeon sits at the console during the procedure, directing the robotic arms to perform the operation. These robotic arms function like human hands with absolute, precise dexterity, finger and wrist movement (made by surgical actions transmitted through instruments with digital interactions). Even while performing surgery, the surgeon could see a magnified, high-definition 3D view of the organs, allowing the surgeon to perform procedures such as dissection, bowel connections and suturing. The advantages of Robotic Gastrectomy are many. It is often recommended for the removal of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, gastric adenocarcinoma, or even rare forms of carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumors. This procedure has less pain compared to conventional open gastrectomy. Other benefits include: • Less blood loss and fewer transfusions • Reduced risk of infections • Early initiation of feeding • Faster return to normality Since its inception, robotic procedures have been performed extensively in thousands of operations around the world. These techniques have gained widespread popularity for their positive impact on patient recovery, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. If we focus on cancers in particular, these operations are widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. To learn more about the benefits of robotic procedures for stomach cancer care, you can consult an oncologist for further guidance. By Dr Jagannath Dixit, Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru (DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely those of the author and ETHealthworld is not necessarily subscribed to the same. ETHealthworld.com shall not be liable for any damage caused directly to any person/organization or indirectly)
