4 main reasons for gastric cancer recurrence after surgery

The recurrence of gastric cancer after surgery seriously affects the overall treatment effect. There are many reasons for recurrence, among which the most important reasons are the following four:

1. Incomplete surgical treatment is the main reason for gastric cancer recurrence

If the cancer lesion is not completely removed during surgery, leaving cancerous tissue or metastatic lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity, and comprehensive treatment is neglected after surgery, the disease is likely to recur within one year after surgery.

2. Late-stage cancer is prone to recurrence

In more advanced gastric cancer, the tumor invades the abdominal cavity and adjacent organs and tissues, such as the pancreas, colon, liver, and mesentery; or metastasizes to distant sites through lymphatic tissue. Such patients often experience recurrence and metastasis soon after surgery.

3. The malignancy of the tumor

Cancers with higher malignancy and lower sensitivity to chemotherapy have higher recurrence rates, while cancers with lower malignancy and higher sensitivity to chemotherapy are less likely to recur. Elderly patients often have lower malignancy in their gastric cancer, while younger patients have higher malignancy and poorer prognosis.

4. Low immunity can also lead to relapse

Many gastric cancer patients have already had reduced immunity before surgery, and the trauma of surgery and anesthesia have a negative impact on the body's resistance, which makes these patients' immunity even lower after surgery. If the patient's immunity is not improved in time after surgery, the patient's tumor often recurs after surgery; even if a more thorough radical cure is performed, some people will have a long-term recurrence after surgery.