[Therapy for the gastric cancer in the near future]

Through the review of recent Japanese literatures, anticipated ways of the treatments for the gastric cancer in the near future were discussed. Most hopefully, no surgical intervention with the prevention and early diagnosis of initiation or promotions of the cancer development by genom analyses in individuals who may have high risk gene mutations will be expected. In the near future periods, however, vigorous molecular biological investigations for purpose will be required to clarify the mechanisms and each biological characteristics of the cancer developments. Further improvements of endoscopic ultrasonography and electron endoscopy will be needed for "early" detection of the lesions in the high risk group patients. More finely defined minimally invasive or extended operative procedures will still be challenged for molecular-biologically identified malignancies of the disease. Immuno-chemotherapy and chemotherapy aided by gene therapy will be the greatest hoperfull ways to conquer the disease. Direct concerns at the moment, however, cancer developments in the stomach with benign "ulcer" infected with Helicobacter Pylori must be urgently integrated for the prevention of the disease. Post-operative disorders after any type of surgery will still be one of the great issue in this until the complete achievements of above mentioned future tasks.