Current status of the multidisciplinary treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Background: The complexity of the management of gastric cancer requires a multidisciplinary evaluation of patients with this tumor. Several treatments have been employed, associated to the surgical resection. Objective: To review the available therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: A review of selected articles on multidisciplinary treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma in the Pubmed and Medline databases between 2000 and 2017 was carried out. The following headings were related: stomach cancer, treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results: There are several valid alternatives, with good results for the treatment of gastric cancer: chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy in the adjuvant scenario; perioperative chemotherapy; and chemoradiotherapy after neoadjuvance with isolated chemotherapy. Conclusion: Current evidences suggest that combined multidisciplinary treatment is superior to surgery alone. However, the optimal treatment regimen is not yet established, and depends on a number of factors, especially the type of surgical resection employed. Therefore, the therapeutic decision should be made by a multidisciplinary team, assessing patient’s personal characteristics, biology of the tumor, residual disease, risks and side effects.