Targeted lymph node surgery for early stomach cancer using fluorescence guidance

This trial is testing a new surgical technique for early stomach cancer that uses special fluorescent dyes to help surgeons find and remove only the lymph nodes most likely to contain cancer. The approach, called fluorescence-guided laparoscopic-endoscopic cooperative surgery, combines two minimally invasive techniques to remove cancer while preserving as much healthy stomach function as possible. Researchers want to see if this targeted approach is safer and more effective than traditional surgery that removes more lymph nodes.

Current treatment for early stomach cancer either involves removing the tumor through an endoscope (a camera tube) or removing part of the stomach along with many lymph nodes. However, many patients don't actually need all those lymph nodes removed, and removing them can affect digestion and quality of life. This trial exists to test whether a more targeted approach that removes only the lymph nodes most likely to have cancer can work just as well while letting patients keep more of their stomach function.