Results of palliative resections for gastric carcinoma

Background: Most of the patients with gastric carcinoma suffer from advance d tumors at the time of diagnosis, and in the majority of cases only pallia tive resections can be carried out. Patients and Methods: We retrospectivel y analyzed the results of 64 patients treated by surgery alone (palliative resections) in an 11-year time interval (1986-1997). Results: In more than 75% of our cases total gastrectomy was performed, and postoperative overall morbidity and mortality were 34.4% and 6.2% (4.1% after total gastrectomy) , respectively. The median survival time was 10 months and the 5-year survi val rate 6.9%. Conclusions: Palliative resections can be performed with an acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality, but the impact on surviva l is minor. The indication may be given in symptomatic patients with dyspha gia, gastric outlet obstruction or hemorrhage and impaired general conditio n, not allowing aggressive neoadjuvant or palliative chemotherapy.