Stomach Surgery for Ulcers and Cancer

Stomach surgery for ulcers is performed less frequently than it used to be because new treatments like proton pump inhibitors and treatments to eradicate Heliobacter pylori have reduced the need for stomach surgery. However, there are certain complications associated with stomach ulcers that require stomach surgery to be performed.

Stomach surgery for ulcers is indicated when there are intractable ulcers, or there is obstruction, perforation, or hemorrhage. The types of surgery used to remove ulcers are vagotomy, pyloroplasty, and antrectomy.

During vagotomy, the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, is cut in order to reduce acid secretion. During antrectomy, the antrum, the lower part of the stomach, is removed. The antrum produces a hormone that stimulates the stomach to secrete digestive juices. During pyloroplasty, the opening of the duodenum and small intestine is enlarged in order to ease the passage of contents out of the stomach.

Stomach Surgery for Cancer Treatment

Stomach surgery is an important treatment for stomach cancer. Even when the cancer is in a very early stage, surgery is typically the treatment of choice.

Stomach surgery for cancer involves the removal of all or part of your stomach. Surgery that removes part of the stomach is known as a partial gastrectomy, and surgery that removes all of the stomach is known as total gastrectomy. The type of surgery you get will depend on the size and location of the tumor.

In some situations, it may be possible for you to get keyhole surgery, or laparoscopic surgery, to remove some or all of your stomach. During keyhole surgery, the doctor will make several small incisions rather than one large cut. A laparoscope will be inserted through the incisions and used to see and work inside of the stomach.

If the stomach cancer is causing a blockage, surgery must be performed to remove the blockage. However, surgery to remove blockages only relieves the symptoms and does not cure the cancer.