Observation of Early Outcome and Complications among Gastric Cancer Surgery Patients

Background Gastric cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Bangladesh, with a high prevalence of habitual risk factors and late-stage diagnoses. This study aims to evaluate the early outcomes and postoperative complications among gastric cancer surgery patients in a resource-limited setting. Material & Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional observational study was conducted from July 2017 to March 2019 at the Department of Surgical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka. Forty patients with biopsy-proven operable gastric carcinoma were selected using purposive non-randomized sampling. Data were collected through clinical evaluations, structured interviews, and case record forms, focusing on demographic characteristics, habitual risk factors, tumor-related features, types of surgery, duration of surgery, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-22. Results: The mean age of participants was 65.16 ± 10.28 years, with a male predominance (70%). Smoking (70%) and beetle leaf consumption (90%) were prevalent habitual risk factors. Distal stomach cancer was more common (65%), with a mean tumor size of 5.00 ± 2.00 cm. Lower radical gastrectomy was performed in 65% of cases. Most surgeries (60%) were completed within 1 to 1.5 hours. Hospital stay durations varied, with 45% staying 11-15 days. Postoperative complications were noted in 52.50% of patients, including wound infections (20%) and urinary tract infections (15%). Conclusions: This study highlights the critical need for improved early detection, risk factor mitigation, and postoperative care in gastric cancer management within Bangladesh. These findings provide a foundation for future research and clinical strategies aimed at enhancing patient outcomes in similar resource-limited settings.