Search

Background: Palliative chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma but in some patients, surgically correctable factors such as obstruction lead to intolerance of further systemic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of selective palliative surgery in incurable gastric cancer. Methods: All patients with stage IV and locally advanced unresectable gastric adenocarcinoma treated at a single centre from March 2006 to January 2019 were included. Data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were categorized into palliative surgery (PS) and no surgery (NS). Results: Of 666 patients with gastric cancer treated over the study period, 146 patients had stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma and 121 patients met inclusion criteria. Sites of metastases were peritoneum (55; 46%), non-regional lymph nodes (10; 8%), solid organ (17, 14%), adjacent organ invasion (4, 3.3%) and a combination of factors (32, 26%). Forty-six (38%) patients underwent palliative surgery which included anatomical gastrectomy (total, subtotal, distal or proximal, 78%) gastro-jejunal bypass and feeding jejunostomy (12%). Thirty-day post-operative complications occurred in 24 patients (52%) with one mortality (2.1%). Following surgery, 52% received systemic chemotherapy. For the PS and NS groups respectively, median overall survival was 9.1 versus 9.4 months ( p  = 0.6) and median progression-free survival was 7.1 versus 6.7 months ( p  = 0.2) after a follow up period of 7.3 (4.7-13.1) versus 7.8 (2.6-13.4) months ( p  = 0.46). Conclusion: Targeted surgical intervention for incurable gastric cancer can be used to palliate symptoms and facilitate continuation of systemic therapy with acceptable risks and post-operative outcomes.

Background and Aims: The FLOT4-AIO trial established the FLOT regimen as a compelling option for gastric, junctional and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Data on FLOT with en-bloc transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) are limited. This study explored operative complications, tolerance, toxicity, physiological impact, and oncologic outcomes., Study Design: An observational cohort study on consecutive patients at 3 tertiary centers undergoing FLOT and TTE. Toxicity, operative complications (per ECCG definitions), tumor regression grade (TRG), recurrences and survival were documented, as well as pre and post FLOT assessment of sarcopenia and pulmonary physiology., Results: 175 patients (cT2-4a, Nany) commenced treatment, 84% male, median age 65, 94% cT3/T4a, 73% cN+. 89% completed 4 preoperative cycles, and 35% all cycles. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (12%), diarrhoea (13%), and infection (15%). Sarcopenia increased from 18% to 37% (P = 0.020), and diffusion capacity (DLCO) decreased by 8% (-34% + 25%; P < 0.010). On pathology, ypT3/4 was 59%, and ypN+54%, with 10% TRG 1, 14% TRG 2, and 76% TRG3-5, and R0 95%. 161 underwent TTE, with an in-hospital mortality of 0.6%, 24%-pneumonia, 11%-anastomotic leak, and Clavien Dindo ≥III in 27%. At a median follow up of 12 months (1-85), 33 relapsed, 8 (5%) locally, and 3yr survival was 60%., Conclusion: FLOT and en bloc TTE was safe, with no discernible impact on operative complications, with 24% having a major pathologic response. Caveats include a limited pathologic response in the majority, and negative impact on muscle mass and lung physiology, and low use of adjuvant cycles. These data may provide a real-world benchmark for this complex care pathway., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)