Potentially curable cancer of the stomach

Although reported cure rates following resection for gastric adenocarcinoma range from 9--22%, the Japanese experience with this disease indicates that the potential for cure is closer to 50%. Earlier diagnosis and a higher index of suspicion in patients in the fifth decade of life and older who present with new epigastric complaints should permit almost a doubling of current cure rates. Improved and extended surgical resections (omitting splenectomy in specific instances) could increase five-year survival by another 10%. Superimposed upon this is the promising potential of adjuvant chemotherapy. Further controlled trials will be needed to establish indications, optimal agents, and routes of administration.