[Results of total gastrectomy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia in advanced stages].

Over an 8 year period, 66 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia in advanced stages underwent total gastrectomy. The operative morbidity rate was 7.5% and the post-operative mortality rate (1 month) was 1.5%. The post-operative 1,3,4, and 5 year survival rates were 69%, 30.7%, 20% and 13.8% respectively. The quality of life after surgery was improved. Pathologic type, lymph node metastasis, incomplete resection and post-operative chemotherapy were the main factors influencing post-operative survival. Indications for total gastrectomy and the advantages of transthoracic total gastrectomy are discussed.