Gastric Cancer Invading the Pancreas: A Review of the Role of Pancreatectomy.

Gastric cancer is quite a common type of cancer, with significant associated mortality. Traditionally, combined resections of affected organs have been advocated in cases of locally advanced gastric cancer, in order to achieve an R0 resection. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of pancreatectomy in the treatment of gastric cancer invading the pancreas by reviewing the relevant literature. The oncological benefits to survival rates of multivisceral resection are not always obvious from the relevant survival charts, especially when the pancreas is the organ invaded by the gastric cancer and gastrectomy needs to be combined with a pancreatectomy, an operation with high morbidity rates. In conclusion, careful patient selection is essential to achieving optimal results, balancing the oncological benefits in these properly selected patients against the associated morbidity of extensive resection.