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World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

Evolution in the surgical management of gastric cancer: is extended lymph node dissection back in vogue in the USA?

Authors: Tianxiang Chen, Dongsheng Yan, Zhiqiang Zheng, Jiayi Yang, Xiang Da (Eric) Dong

Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Gastric cancer remains a formidable treatment challenge. For decades, treatment consisted mostly of surgical intervention for this deadly disease. With improvements in the multi-disciplinary management of solid organ malignancies, the approach to this disease is being stepwise refined.

Main body

One of the prevalent controversies in the surgical management of gastric cancer rests on the need for adequate harvesting of lymph nodes. For decades, lymph node dissection is regarded as a staging technique useful in only upstaging the disease. The adoption of D2 lymphadenectomy has been particularly slow to mature. But with prevailing data from Asia consistently demonstrating a survival benefit from lymphadenectomy, it calls into question the notion of lymphadenectomy as being solely a staging procedure.

Conclusions

As gastric resection techniques are being better defined in western countries and surgical morbidities lowered on its execution, D2 lymphadenectomy is becoming more accepted as the new standard in the management of gastric cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Evolution in the surgical management of gastric cancer: is extended lymph node dissection back in vogue in the USA?
Authors
Tianxiang Chen
Dongsheng Yan
Zhiqiang Zheng
Jiayi Yang
Xiang Da (Eric) Dong
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
World Journal of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-017-1204-6

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