Recent evidence on quality of life following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A scoping review

As survival rates improve following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, quality of life (QoL) has become a critical assessment outcome alongside traditional oncological metrics. Both the short‑ and long‑term course of recovery can be affected by post‑gastrectomy syndromes and other post‑operative outcomes; however, QoL remains underreported and underutilised in clinical evaluations. Herein, a scoping review of studies published after 2020 that assessed QoL following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer was performed, focusing on curative resections without additional major organ removal. Articles were identified through the PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE databases using combinations of key words related to gastrectomy, QoL and validated patient‑reported outcome instruments. A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of functional outcomes (physical, role and emotional functioning) consistently declined at an early stage following the surgery, with recovery typically beginning after ~6 months. Key symptoms, particularly reflux and eating restrictions, remained variable and could persist for up to 2 years. Global QoL improved over time despite ongoing symptoms, suggesting a degree of psychosocial adjustment. Surgical approach and anastomotic technique had limited long‑term impact, though minimally invasive methods have been reported to show modest short‑term advantages. Despite its clinical importance, QoL remains an underused primary outcome in gastric cancer surgery. A stronger focus on standardised, patient‑centred assessment could bridge the gap between technical success and meaningful recovery. Identifying the distinct course of QoL following total gastrectomy may facilitate its integration into surgical planning and care. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scoping review to focus exclusively on QoL following total gastrectomy in the era of updated surgical guidelines, providing an up‑to‑date framework for improving patient outcomes.