Neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment in gastric and oesophageal cancer

The prognosis of locally advanced gastric and oesophageal cancers is poor, but it has been shown that multimodal treatment can lead to better outcomes than surgery alone. Two randomised studies conducted in Europe have shown that perioperative chemotherapy does significantly improve the survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach and oesophagogastric junction. These results have had a profound effect on the treatment of patients presenting with stage II or stage III disease. Because of the results of recent meta-analyses, patients with locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy. Squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus is treated with chemoradiation. Secondary resection is optional. Patients with locally advanced gastric and oesophageal cancer should always be referred to an experienced high-volume centre where findings are discussed by a multidisciplinary tumour board. It has been demonstrated that outcomes are better when such patients are treated in designated centres.