Laparotomy with a curative intent in patients with suspected locally recurrent gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Most recurrent gastric tumors are unsuitable for further resection or palliative surgery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of re-resection in patients with local-regional recurrences of gastric cancer. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Between 1998 and 2007, 26 patients underwent laparotomy for local-regional gastric cancer recurrence. Length of time to recurrence, recurrence patterns, operative procedures, morbidity, mortality and survival after re-resection were evaluated. RESULTS: Re-resection was possible in 13 patients (50%). Among patients with resectable tumors, survival times were markedly longer, with 2 patients reaching 60 months of survival and 2 other patients reaching 48 and 28 months, respectively. Among patients with early recurrence, peritoneal carcinomatosis was more common. After re-resection, morbidity and mortality were seen, each in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the re-resected recurrences were intraluminal. In patients with early recurrences of gastric cancer, peritoneal carcinomatosis was encountered most frequently. Re-resection was beneficial and long-term survival was achieved after re-resection.