Locally recurrent gastric cancer develops in 45 per cent of resected p
atients. This study assessed the impact of an aggressive search for re
currence after radical operations and the use of reoperative and adjuv
ant therapy in this setting. From 1983 to 1990, 75 patients were explo
red for regionally recurrent gastric cancer. Resection was possible in
40 (53.5%), and palliative bypass was possible in 19 (25.3%); explora
tion only was performed in 16 (21.4%). Among resectable patients, gast
rectomy was performed in 22 (55%) and gastrectomy with adjacent organ
resection in 18 (45%) with an overall operative mortality of 15% (6 pa
tients). Mean duration of life after bypass was 3.1 months; after expl
oration 4.5 months. Fifteen (40.6%) were not candidates for radiation
or chemotherapy, 13 (31.2%) received preoperative radiotherapy (20 Gy)
, and 12 (28.2%) received postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Two-yea
r survival after radical treatment was as follows: surgery alone 20%;
radiotherapy and surgery 31.3%; surgery and chemotherapy 66.4%. These
preliminary results indicate that re-excision benefits selected patien
ts with recurrent gastric cancer. Patients receiving radiotherapy and
chemotherapy tended toward improved survival.