Gastric Cancer Survivorship: Multidisciplinary Management, Best Practices and Opportunities

J Gastrointest Cancer. 2024 Jun;55(2):519-533. doi: 10.1007/s12029-023-01001-7. Epub 2024 Jan 5.

Abstract

Purpose: Gastric cancer is the 5th most common malignancy worldwide. As early detection increases and treatments for gastric cancer improve, the number of gastric cancer survivors grows.

Methods: Here, we review the diagnosis and management of gastric cancer and discuss important considerations for gastric cancer survivorship including cancer surveillance, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, specific complications related to surgery and radiation, quality of life in gastric cancer survivorship, health behavior, and models of survivorship.

Results: Multimodality therapy with chemotherapy and surgery can result in chronic toxicities in multiple organ systems. This emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary survivorship care model including cancer surveillance, management of chronic toxicities, and optimization of modifiable risk factors with long-term involvement of appropriate providers.

Conclusion: Adequately caring for gastric cancer survivors requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords: Alcohol cessation; Gastric cancer; Modifiable risk factors; Quality of life; Smoking cessation; Survivorship; Toxicity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Survivors* / statistics & numerical data
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Team
  • Quality of Life*
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Survivorship*