When to Start Chemotherapy After Gastric Cancer Surgery

After undergoing surgery for gastric cancer, it is generally recommended that patients begin chemotherapy within one month following the procedure. This recommendation is based on several important factors.

Post-surgical recovery is essential for the patient's overall health. Surgery can place significant stress on the body, and a recovery period is necessary to allow the patient to regain strength and stabilize their physical condition before undergoing further treatment.

Delaying chemotherapy may allow residual cancer cells to regrow. If cancer cells remain after surgery or if there is a possibility of lymph node or distant metastasis, delaying chemotherapy could give these cells a chance to grow and spread during the recovery phase.

Early initiation of chemotherapy improves outcomes. Clinical evidence suggests that starting chemotherapy within one month after surgery significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. Patients who begin treatment within this window tend to have better long-term results compared to those who delay therapy.

Waiting longer than two months increases recurrence risks. Studies show that if chemotherapy is postponed beyond two months, the likelihood of cancer returning increases. If treatment is delayed for three months or more, the effectiveness of chemotherapy in preventing recurrence may be significantly reduced.

Individual patient condition must be considered. While early chemotherapy is ideal, the decision must also account for the patient's recovery progress and overall health. If a patient is not physically ready for chemotherapy, treatment should be delayed until they are stable enough to tolerate it.

In conclusion, chemotherapy should ideally begin within one month after gastric cancer surgery to maximize the chances of preventing recurrence. However, each patient's situation is unique, and medical decisions should be tailored to their specific recovery status and overall well-being.