Cancer of the gastric stump following distal gastrectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the gastric stump (CGS) after distal gastrectomy for cancer has not been characterized in a large study. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features and outcome of CGS following distal gastrectomy for cancer. METHODS: Patients with CGS following distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients was identified. The median interval between the initial gastrectomy and resection for CGS was 7.5 (range 1-41) years. The depth of tumour invasion was T1 in 67 patients, T2 in 16, T3 in eight and T4 in 17 patients. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed in 25 patients with T1 tumours. R0 resection was achieved in 103 patients. The overall 5-year survival rate was 53.1 per cent. The 5-year survival rates for patients with T1, T2, T3 and T4 disease were 76, 40, 13 and 9 per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: The outcome for patients with non-early CGS was poor. Early detection of CGS is important following distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer and strict surveillance is recommended for at least 10 years after the initial gastrectomy.