Combined Modality Therapy of Localized Gastric and Esophageal Cancers

Authors:
Prajnan Das From the Department of Radiation Oncology, the Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine and Nutrition, and the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

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Norio Fukami From the Department of Radiation Oncology, the Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine and Nutrition, and the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

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Jaffer A. Ajani From the Department of Radiation Oncology, the Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine and Nutrition, and the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 4: Issue 4
Online Publication Date:
Apr 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2006.0032
Full access

Gastric and esophageal cancers continue to be a significant health problem. The incidence of proximal gastric and distal esophageal cancers has been increasing, especially in white men. Gastric and esophageal cancers have high rates of locoregional and distant failure, resulting in poor overall survival. Therefore, patients with gastric and esophageal cancer may benefit from combined modality therapy. Adjuvant chemoradiation has been shown to improve survival in gastric and gastroesophageal cancers in a phase III trial. In esophageal cancer, most randomized trials have not shown a survival benefit for preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation, although these approaches are widely used. This article reviews the role of staging, surgery, and adjuvant and preoperative therapies in the management of localized gastric and esophageal cancers.

Correspondence: Prajnan Das, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 97, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: PrajDas@mdanderson.org
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Print ISSN:
1540-1405
Online ISSN:
1540-1413
Publisher:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2006 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Page Numbers:
8
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
15 Nov 2005
Accepted:
13 Jan 2006
Print Publication Date:
01 Apr 2006
Online Publication Date:
Apr 2006
Keywords:
Gastric cancer; esophageal cancer; gastroesophageal cancer; staging; surgery; chemotherapy; radiotherapy

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