Tumor recurrence after surgery is a "time bomb". Here are two tips to help you defuse it!

There is no medicine that works immediately, especially for cancer patients. There is no such thing as a simple surgery that can completely cure the disease. For those patients who think that everything will be fine after surgery and they can rest assured, this idea is not advisable. Because the risk of recurrence and metastasis after tumor surgery, especially gastric cancer surgery, is very high. Recurrence and metastasis are like a time bomb, and the harm is very great. There are only two ways to defuse this "time bomb" - follow-up and reexamination.

Why do we need postoperative review and follow-up?

Even with radical surgery and standardized chemotherapy, the probability of gastric cancer recurrence and metastasis is still relatively high, especially for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Regular follow-up and reexamination can, on the one hand, help us understand the patient's physical condition after surgery, and on the other hand, can promptly detect signs of recurrence or metastasis, allowing doctors to promptly establish appropriate treatment measures and plans.

What is the purpose of the inspection?

Routine blood test: The most basic blood test to determine if there are any changes in the blood composition.

Tumor markers: can indicate whether the tumor is progressing.

Gastroscopy: Screening for recurrence of local tumors.

Abdominal CT: It complements abdominal ultrasound and can also be used as a diagnostic test after problems are found by abdominal ultrasound.

Chest X-ray: Screen for lung metastasis and perform chest CT scan if necessary.

Bone scan (ECT) and PET-CT examinations are selected according to the patient's condition.

When should patients undergo follow-up examination after gastric cancer surgery?

The subsequent treatment, review and follow-up will be different for different pathological stages after surgery. We have compiled the following table to facilitate patients' postoperative review and follow-up!

Gastric cancer patients should remember to save this information and remind themselves regularly that it’s time for a checkup!