How Often Are Follow-Up Tests Needed After Stomach Cancer Surgery? (2026 Guide)

After stomach cancer surgery, patients typically undergo closer monitoring for the first 2–3 years, then move to longer intervals through year 5, with repeated clinical exams, blood tests, CT scans, and upper endoscopy. The exact schedule is set by your care team based on stage, treatment received, and surgical method.

Key takeaways

• After gastric cancer treatment, follow-up is generally more frequent for the first 2–3 years, then spaced out further through year 5.
• Tests typically include a clinical exam, blood tests, CT, and upper endoscopy, with the exact combination depending on stage and treatment received.
• For patients who had endoscopic resection, endoscopy intervals are especially important because new lesions can develop in the remaining stomach.
• After gastrectomy, nutritional status along with vitamin and iron levels are checked as well.
• Korea's 5-year relative survival rate for stomach cancer is 78.6% (National Cancer Registry Statistics, 2019–2023); this is a national-level figure and does not predict any individual's outcome.

Which tests are done, and how often?

• Meeting regularly with your care team after treatment ends to check for health changes and recurrence is called follow-up care. In general, follow-up visits occur every 3–4 months for the first 2–3 years after treatment, then once or twice a year afterward (U.S. National Cancer Institute, NCI). For stomach cancer, it is common to have more frequent checks—clinical exam, blood tests, CT, and upper endoscopy—during the first 2–3 years, with intervals gradually extending through year 5.
• The actual interval and combination of tests vary by stage and by treatment received (whether it was endoscopic resection or gastrectomy, and whether chemotherapy was added). Even for the same cancer type, schedules differ by individual, so the plan set by your care team should be the standard to follow.

Does follow-up differ between endoscopic resection and gastrectomy?

If only the lesion was removed via endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), it's important to watch for new lesions forming in the remaining stomach, making the interval for upper endoscopy a particular focus. For patients who underwent gastrectomy, follow-up checks not only for recurrence but also nutritional status and vitamin B12 and iron levels. When the stomach is reduced or removed, dumping syndrome or nutritional deficiencies can occur, so regular monitoring is needed.

What if new symptoms appear between scheduled tests?

If you develop new or persistent pain, a lump, bleeding, weight loss, shortness of breath or a lingering cough, new bone pain, or a fever of 38°C or higher, you should notify your care team right away rather than waiting for your next appointment. In severe cases, going to the nearest emergency room is advisable. Changes such as fatigue, digestive problems, sleep issues, or emotional difficulties should also be reported.

Can follow-up continue after returning home?

Most follow-up testing can continue in your home country if you receive a handover document listing the next test dates and items, which you can pass to your local care team. It is standard practice for your oncologist or treatment team to provide a written treatment summary and follow-up recommendations (U.S. National Cancer Institute, NCI). Whether to continue testing in Korea or locally should be discussed in advance with your care team.

FAQ — Can I stop testing after 5 years?

Even after 5 years, follow-up typically changes in form rather than stopping entirely, depending on the cancer type. For example, breast cancer follow-up continues with annual history-taking, physical exams, and mammography even after 5 years (National Cancer Information Center). For stomach cancer as well, it is common for intervals to lengthen through year 5, and how care continues afterward is determined by your care team based on your individual condition.

FAQ — Can blood tests alone detect recurrence?

Blood tests alone are generally not enough to confirm recurrence. In colorectal cancer, the tumor marker CEA is used as a supplementary tool for checking recurrence (National Cancer Information Center); similarly, in stomach cancer follow-up, blood tests are one piece of data combined with clinical exams, CT, and endoscopy to make a judgment. If marker levels change, further confirmation with imaging is typically carried out.

Sources and notes

This article was written based on notes on stomach cancer, post-treatment follow-up testing, and frequently asked questions (National Cancer Information Center, National Cancer Center Korea, NCCN patient guidelines, U.S. National Cancer Institute [NCI], National Cancer Registry Statistics 2019–2023). This content is intended for general medical information purposes only; diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your care team.