[Retrospect of 2019: focus on the research progress of gastric neoplasm]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Gastric neoplasms, including gastric carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNET), are common.
• Recent research supports laparoscopic gastrectomy as a safe and effective alternative to open surgery for various stages of gastric cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the surgical and therapeutic management of common gastric neoplasms.
• To highlight the evolving role of minimally invasive surgery and novel therapies in gastric cancer, GIST, and GNET.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent (2019 onwards) high-level evidence-based research and clinical studies.
• Analysis of data on laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy, multidisciplinary treatments, and perioperative therapies.
• Evaluation of progress in targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical approaches for GIST and GNET.

Main Results:

• Laparoscopic gastrectomy demonstrates comparable safety and efficacy to open surgery for gastric cancer.
• Multidisciplinary treatments and perioperative chemoradiotherapy research are advancing, with increasing international attention to Chinese clinical research.
• While targeted and immunotherapy show promise, first-line therapy post-gastric cancer surgery remains undefined.
• Laparoscopic surgery is gaining acceptance for GIST, and surgical intervention retains value for advanced, drug-resistant cases.
• Optimal surgical strategy for GNET depends on tumor characteristics; gastric adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine components may indicate a poorer prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive approaches are increasingly validated for gastric cancer and GIST.
• Further research is needed to establish optimal systemic therapies for advanced gastric cancer.
• Personalized surgical selection is crucial for GNET management, with specific subtypes requiring cautious prognostication.