Incidence and treatment of metachronous gastric cancer after proximal gastrectomy

Background and purpose Proximal gastrectomy (PG) is a widely accepted function-preserving surgical procedure; however, the incidence and treatment of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) after PG have been the subject of a number of reports. Methods We collected data from 1576 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January, 2003 and December, 2010, and analyzed the outcomes of 671 patients treated with PG or distal gastrectomy (DG) for cT1N0 disease. We also discuss the treatments for MGC. Results MGC was diagnosed within a median follow-up of 52.8 months after PG and DG in six (6.6%) and nine (1.8%) patients, respectively. The cumulative prevalence of MGC after PG was significantly higher than that after DG; P = 0.005. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed male sex and PG as significant risk factors for MGC ( P = 0.014 and P = 0.026, respectively). Five of the six patients who underwent PG were treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Conclusions The incidence of MGC after PG was significantly higher than that after DG. However, most of the MGCs that developed after PG could be treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.