Multidisciplinary approach in diagnostics and treatment of gastric cancer

Abstract

The incidence of gastric cancer has been declining globally but mortality remains high. The only curative approach is surgery. Endoscopic mucosal resection can be used in early clinical stages. Only a multidisciplinary approach involving a surgeon, a gastroenterologist, and an oncologist can produce the comprehensive strategy in locally advanced gastric cancer. Gastrectomy with the lymph node dissection in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy prolongs overall survival. Palliative chemotherapy involving Fluoropyrimidine and Cisplatin is indicated in a metastatic setting.The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is the standard of care in HER2-positive oesophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas and leads to an improved overall survival from 10 months to 13 months.