Changes of lipid profiles after radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: We investigated the changes of lipid profiles after radical gastrectomy. METHODS: We analyzed the lipid-profile changes after radical gastrectomy in 144 patients with gastric cancer. Their lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL), were evaluated preoperatively as well as 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We compared the changes of lipid profile according to the reconstruction type and resection extent. RESULTS: The TC level had decreased 6 months after surgery, and remained unchanged thereafter. The LDL level also had decreased 6 months after surgery, but had increased again after 12 months after surgery. The HDL level had increased 12 months after surgery, whereas the TG level was unchanged. In a comparison of the lipid levels according to the reconstruction type or resection extent, the HDL level significantly differed by reconstruction type 12 months after surgery: it was markedly higher in the total gastrectomy than in the subtotal gastrectomy group both 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Both the male gender and total gastrectomy were associated with probability of normalization of LDL after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The lipid profiles including the TC, LDL and HDL levels were changed after radical gastrectomy; therefore, after this procedure, the lipid profiles of patients with hyperlipidemia should be evaluated.