Objective:

To determine the perceived burden and functional status of gastric cancer patients with gastrectomy in a center of cancer in Bogota (Colombia) between 2013 and 2016.

Materials and methods:

Retrospective description of patients intervened by gastrectomy distributed in three groups: Patients with gastrectomy from 1 to 12 months of surgical intervention, 13 to 14 months and 25 to 36 months. For this, it was used the disease burden perception instrument and the Karnofsky scale.

Results:

127 patients were included. 63 from 1 to 12 months, 43 from 13 to 24 months, and 21 from 25 to 36 months of intervention. Gastric adenocarcinoma of intestinal pattern stage III and II predominate. More than 50 % of the patients required total gastrectomy and received adjuvant chemotherapy. The majority of participants performed regular activities with mild signs and symptoms, presented low overall perceived burden and functional performance without statistically significant differences between groups. Patients from 1 to 12 months of intervention reported greater levels of physical discomfort.

Conclusions:

In patients with gastrectomy for gastric cancer, physical symptoms persist such as emotional disturbances, economic difficulties and limitations in the work role, findings to be included in follow-up programs.

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