Gastric cancer - the recognition of a chemosensitive tumour
1988
Gastric Cancer: Recognizing a Chemosensitive Tumor
Editorial
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): D. Cunningham
Primary Institution: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London W2, UK
Conclusion
Gastric cancer is sensitive to chemotherapy, particularly with cisplatin-based regimens, but there is no standard treatment protocol.
Supporting Evidence
- About 12,000 people in the UK develop gastric adenocarcinoma each year, with a 5-year survival rate of only 7-10%.
- Combination chemotherapy has shown response rates of 40% in some studies.
- Recent studies indicate that cisplatin-based regimens have promising activity in advanced gastric cancer.
Takeaway
Gastric cancer can be treated with special medicines that help shrink the tumors, but doctors are still figuring out the best way to do it.
Limitations
There is no standard chemotherapy regimen for gastric cancer, and many studies have shown no benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
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