Laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy for resectable gastric cancer yields favorable long-term survival rates.

• Five-year overall survival is 62.5%, with a recurrence-free survival rate of 60.3%.
• Recurrence occurs in 40% of patients, primarily as distant metastases (61.4%).

Understanding early and late recurrence, with a critical 12-month cutoff, can refine postoperative follow-up.

• An early recurrence prediction model outperforms the AJCC eighth edition staging system, enhancing risk stratification and treatment planning.