Adjuvant chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma treatment as standard of care

Abstract

Introduction. Despite a worldwide decline in incidence based on GLOBOCAN 2018 data, stomach cancer is the 5th most common neoplasm and the 3rd most deadly cancer. In 90% of cases, its histology is adenocarcinoma, either of the intestinal type or of diffuse. Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, salt and nitrate-rich foods are the most important factors of risk. The interactions between dietary factors, environmental factors and the development of gastric cancer are well described with clearly identified dietary exposures strongly associated with gastric cancer induction and prevention. Postoperative fluoropyrimidine-based CCRT and chemotherapy is standard adjuvant treatment of resected gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods. Patients with subtotal gastrectomy and D1 lymph node dissection were treated with 2 cycles of Capecitabine (DD 2500 mg/m2 po bid/21day cycle) followed by chemoradiotherapy and another of 2 cycles chemotherapy with Capecitabine (DD 2500 mg/m2 po bid/21d cycle). CT simulation with oral contrast application was performed followed by delineation of target volumes and organs at risk according to CRITICS protocol. 3D conformal postoperative chemoirradiation was delivered with standard fractionation (TTD 50.4 Gy/1.8 Gy) with concurrent application of Capecitabine 1650mg/m2/bid/d1-5. Adjuvant treatment was delivered in postoperative period of 6 months. Results. Adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy prolongs disease free survival (DFS) and improves quality of life. CT-based 3D conformal treatment planning and delivery of postoperative chemoirradiation is minimum standard of care of gastric cancer treatment. Conclusion. Multidisciplinary decision making team approach is preferred. Primary treatment option for patients with potentially resectable locoregional gastric tumors is surgery. The guidelines have included postoperative chemo/chemoradiotherapy treatment depending of tumor stage, nodal status, extent of lymph node dissection and other risk factors (differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, neural invasion, surgical margins). Adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy prolongs disease free survival (DFS) and improves quality of life. Keywords: Gastric cancer, chemoirradiation, CCRT, DFS, 3D conformal, postoperative