Comparison between Pre-Operative Findings and Per-Operative Findings of Stomach Cancer

Background: Accurate pre-operative assessment of stomach cancer is critical for effective treatment planning and improved surgical outcomes. However, discrepancies between pre-operative and per-operative findings can impact surgical decision-making and patient prognosis. This study aimed to compare pre-operative and per-operative findings in stomach cancer patients, with a focus on tumor location, size, staging, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Department of Surgery, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, from September 2022 to August 2023, involving 100 patients diagnosed with stomach cancer. Patients underwent pre-operative evaluations using endoscopy, CT scans, and biopsy, followed by surgical intervention. Pre-operative findings were compared with per-operative observations, with a particular focus on tumor location, size, stage, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 to assess the significance of the differences observed. Results: The study found that the most common tumor locations were the antrum (32%) and body (24%). Tumor size was predominantly 2-4 cm (52%), with a notable consistency between pre-operative and per-operative measurements. Pre-operative staging revealed that 35% of patients were at stage II, which increased to 38% per-operatively. Lymph node involvement was observed in 60% of patients pre-operatively, increasing to 65% during surgery. Metastasis was present in 20% of patients pre-operatively, slightly increasing to 22% per-operatively. Conclusion: The findings highlight the limitations of current pre-operative diagnostic techniques in accurately staging stomach cancer, particularly concerning lymph node involvement and tumor size. Integrating advanced imaging techniques and biomarkers into standard pre-operative evaluations could improve the accuracy of assessments and enhance surgical outcomes.