What is the Appleby operation for gastric cancer?

The Appleby procedure for stomach cancer is a special type of gastrectomy surgery that is primarily used to treat stomach cancer. It involves not only the removal of the stomach, but may also include partial removal of other affected organs to ensure complete removal of cancer cells.

1. Basic knowledge of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive tract, mainly originating from gastric epithelial cells. Although the exact cause is still unclear, there are several factors that are believed to increase the risk of disease, such as genetics, age, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking and drinking. The early symptoms of gastric cancer are often not obvious. As the disease progresses, patients may experience upper abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. These symptoms may be mistaken for common stomach discomfort in life, and regular physical examinations and early screening are particularly important.

2. Specific operation of Appleby operation

The Appleby procedure is a complex surgery that is usually performed when stomach cancer has invaded important blood vessels or organs nearby. During the operation, in addition to removing part or all of the stomach, it may also be necessary to remove part of the pancreas, spleen, and other affected tissues. The goal of this surgery is to remove as much cancer as possible to improve the patient's chances of survival. The complexity and risk of the operation are high, so it requires an experienced surgical team to perform it.

3. The importance of postoperative radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is often used as an adjuvant treatment after gastrectomy. This is because even if the surgery has removed the cancerous tissue as thoroughly as possible, there may still be tiny cancer cells left. Radiotherapy targets these residual cancer cells with high-energy radiation beams, helping to further reduce the risk of recurrence. The process of radiotherapy is similar to an imaging examination, and the patient does not need to be hospitalized, but some side effects may occur, such as radiation inflammation, bone marrow suppression, and gastrointestinal reactions.

4. The role of preoperative radiotherapy

In some cases, preoperative radiotherapy is also a strategy. Through preoperative radiotherapy, the tumor can be reduced, making surgical removal easier and more thorough. This method helps to improve the success rate of surgery and the patient's prognosis. However, preoperative radiotherapy may also cause some discomfort and needs to be performed under the guidance of a professional physician.

5. Lifestyle adjustment and psychological support

After surgery and radiotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and psychological support are equally important. In terms of diet, it is recommended to choose easily digestible foods and avoid irritating foods. Psychologically, patients may need to face the dual challenges of physical and psychological postoperatively. The support of family and friends, as well as professional psychological counseling can help patients adapt and recover better.

Through these measures, gastric cancer patients can achieve a better quality of life and longer survival time on the basis of medical treatment. A healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude are important parts of defeating the disease. I hope this information can provide you with useful guidance and help.