Is Total Gastrectomy Necessary for Gastric Body Cancer?

Gastric cancer can be classified into different types based on its location, including cardia cancer, gastric body cancer, and pyloric cancer. Among these, gastric body cancer occurs in the middle part of the stomach. In order to ensure complete removal of the tumor, surgeons must maintain a safe margin—typically at least 5 cm—between the tumor and the cut ends of the stomach tissue, known as the proximal and distal resection margins. Because of this requirement, total gastrectomy is often necessary to fully remove gastric body tumors.

While the stomach plays a key role in digestion by turning food into chyme, nutrient absorption primarily occurs in the small intestine. After a total gastrectomy, patients can still maintain normal nutrition through proper dietary adjustments and medical support. As a result, the procedure generally does not have a major impact on long-term quality of life or survival.

In addition to removing the tumor, lymph node dissection is an essential part of the surgical treatment for gastric body cancer. This is because gastric cancer often spreads to nearby lymph nodes, and removing these nodes helps prevent recurrence and improves prognosis.

Therefore, for gastric body cancer, total gastrectomy combined with lymph node clearance remains a standard and effective treatment approach. Advances in surgical techniques and postoperative care have also significantly improved outcomes and recovery for patients undergoing this procedure.