“Worrying About Weight Loss in ‘Stomach Cancer Surgery’… Metabolic Disease Improvement Effects with Gastrectomy”

Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Keimyung University College of Medicine Research Team Finds Potential Benefits of Gastrectomy for Modern Individuals Facing Overnutrition Issues: ‘[Edaily Journalist Lee Soon-yong] A study has found that malnutrition and weight loss, typically regarded as side effects of gastric cancer surgery, could actually offer health benefits for modern individuals commonly suffering from metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.’,
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, ‘The research team, including Professors Seo Yun-seok and Kang So-hyun from the Department of Surgery at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Professor Shin Ae-sun from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Professor Woo Hyung-taek from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Keimyung University College of Medicine, revealed that patients who had early gastric cancer removed via gastrectomy had significantly lower incidence rates of chronic metabolic diseases and heart and cerebrovascular diseases compared to those who underwent endoscopic resection.’,
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, ‘This conclusion was based on a follow-up and comparative analysis of up to 15 years using big data from the National Health Insurance on 49,578 people who had early gastric cancer removed by gastrectomy and 24,789 people who underwent endoscopic resection (a total of over 74,000 individuals) from 2002 to 2020.’,
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, ‘According to the study, the gastrectomy group showed about a 53% lower rate of hypertension and about a 20% lower rate of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease. The major cardiovascular event rates (MACE-3/6 indices) were about 14% lower.’,
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, ‘Additionally, the gastrectomy group showed a decrease in “obesity-related cancers,” such as colon cancer frequently seen in obese patients, along with reduced mortality from these cancers. This implies that gastric cancer surgery can reduce obesity and metabolic diseases, leading to the prevention of other obesity-related cancers.’,
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, ‘This study is considered the largest of its kind, identifying the metabolic benefits of gastrectomy by comparing it with endoscopic resection. It is expected to serve as a core foundation for the “oncometabolic” paradigm, which aims to integrate cancer and metabolic disease perspectives in treatment strategies.’,
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, ‘Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure where part or all of the stomach with a tumor is removed, leading to a reduced stomach capacity and consequently, reduced food intake. Historically, there has been a perception that gastric cancer surgery leads to significant weight loss and malnutrition, but in today’s era of overnutrition, this aspect is not necessarily viewed as negative, according to the research team.’,
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, ‘Professor Seo Yun-seok stated, “Many patients fear that undergoing gastric cancer surgery will drastically lower their quality of life due to being unable to eat desired foods and resulting malnutrition,” adding, “However, it can significantly reduce the occurrence of secondary cancers related to obesity and major cardiovascular diseases, ultimately helping maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.” He further expressed hope that the study’s findings would provide courage and hope to patients awaiting surgery.’,
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, ‘These findings have been published in the prestigious surgical journal, the ‘Journal of the American College of Surgeons.’’,
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