Afinitor Promising in Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer 07/22/2010
Afinitor® (everolimus) may be a promising treatment option for patients with metastatic gastric cancer who have undergone previous treatment, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Afinitor is an oral targeted therapy that works by inhibiting a protein known as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The ...

Clinical Trial for Advanced Gastric Cancer Now Enrolling Patients 07/15/2010
Gastric cancer forms in the tissues and lining of the stomach. Current treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The current standard of care for metastatic gastric cancer is systemic therapy. Research is ongoing to determine which therapy or combination of therapies produces the best outcome while still being tolerable ...

High Circulating Vitamin D Levels Don’t Reduce Risk of Less Common Cancers 07/12/2010
High levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream do not appear to reduce the risk of seven less common cancers: endometrial, esophageal, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, there was a suggestion that people with the highest vitamin D levels may have an increased risk of pancreatic ...

Depression May Persist With Metastatic Cancer 05/26/2010
A substantial number of patients with metastatic cancer may suffer from depression which tends to persist and grow more severe toward the end of life, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] While cancer and other serious illnesses are risk factors ...

Genetic Variant Associated with Poor Outcome for Gastric Cancer 05/23/2010
Patients with gastric cancer who have a certain type of inherited variation in the CD44 gene experience a significantly shorter time to disease recurrence (2.1 years) compared with patients without the genetic variation (seven years), according to the results of a study presented at the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Clinical Trial Data from Last 30 Years Evaluated to Determine Benefit in Gastric Cancer 05/14/2010
A moderate but statistically significant survival benefit was reported with the addition of chemotherapy to surgery in patients with resectable gastric cancer (gastric cancer that can be surgically removed). These findings were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.[1] Gastric cancer refers ...

Cancers of the Lower Stomach have Increased in Young Whites 05/07/2010
Although overall rates of noncardia gastric cancer (cancer of the lower stomach) have decreased in the United States, rates have increased in whites between the ages of 25 and 39 years. These findings were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.[1] Cancer ...

Herceptin Improves Outcome of HER2-positive Stomach Cancer 10/03/2009
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial, treatment with the targeted therapy Herceptin® (trastuzumab) improves survival among patients with HER2-positive, advanced and inoperable stomach cancer. These results were presented at a major European cancer conference. Herceptin is a targeted therapy that has made important contributions to improved outcomes ...

Aspirin May Reduce Risk of Stomach Cancer 08/28/2009
Regular aspirin use may reduce the risk of distal stomach cancer (cancer in the lower part of the stomach). These results were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Cancer of the stomach is called gastric cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. It arises from cells ...

Herceptin® Improves Survival with HER2-positive Gastric Cancer 06/02/2009
Herceptin® Improves Survival with HER2-positive Gastric Cancer According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and the targeted drug Herceptin® (trastuzumab) results in better survival than chemotherapy alone among ...

Identification of Cellular Enzymes May Predict Prognosis of Gastric Cancer 02/27/2008
An important enzyme known as histone deacetylase may contain useful information about the prognosis of gastric cancer. These findings were recently published in the Lancet.Enzymes are biological substances that stimulate certain activities within cells. The jobs they perform are specifically matched with particular cells. Histone deacetylase (HDACs) is an ...

Fruits and Vegetables Reduce Risk of Stomach Cancer 02/01/2008
According to an article recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, diets higher in vegetables and fruits and lower in foods common in Western diets (such as processed meats, soft drinks, and sugars) can significantly reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer.Cancer of the stomach is called gastric ...

Xeloda® and Eloxatin® Evaluated in Esophageal and Gastric Cancers 01/04/2008
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it may be possible to replace 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) with Xeloda® (capecitabine) and to replace cisplatin (Platinol®) with Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) in the treatment of advanced esophageal and gastric cancers.For patients with advanced ...

Epstein-Barr Virus Not Associated with Gastric Cancer 11/29/2007
According to an article recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, individuals infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) do not have an increased risk of gastric cancer.There are high rates of gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) in Asia. Researchers believe these high rates may be due, at ...

S-1 Chemotherapy Following Surgery Improves Survival in Gastric Cancer 11/01/2007
According to an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, treatment with the chemotherapy agent S-1 following surgery for Stages II-III gastric cancer improves survival compared with surgery alone with acceptable side effects.Gastric cancer refers to cancer of the stomach. Standard treatment for gastric cancer is determined by ...

PET Imaging May Help Guide Treatment of Esophageal and Gastric Cancers 09/21/2007
According to the results of a study published in Lancet Oncology, use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to evaluate response to neoadjuvant (before surgery) chemotherapy may help guide treatment of patients with cancer of the lower part of the esophagus or the upper part of the stomach (adenocarcinoma ...

Incidence of Precancerous Changes to the Stomach is Declining 08/21/2007
According to the results of a study conducted in the Netherlands and published in the journal Gut, the frequency of precancerous changes to the stomach (atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia) is declining; this should result in a drop in stomach cancer rates in the future.Cancer of the stomach ...

More Chemotherapy Not Beneficial in Gastric Cancer 04/23/2007
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, intensive weekly chemotherapy with the regimen referred to as PELFw provides no benefit over the standard chemotherapy regimen consisting of 5FU/LV for treatment of patients with gastric cancer that is confined to the stomach or ...

Interruption of Treatment with Gleevec® Not Recommended for GIST 03/23/2007
According to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, interruption in treatment with Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) is not recommended for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) whose disease has appeared to stabilize.GIST is a rare type of cancer that originates in the wall of the gastrointestinal track. ...

Airborne Exposure to Some Chemicals May Increase Stomach Cancer Risk 03/14/2007
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, airborne exposure to some occupational carcinogens appears to increase the risk of noncardia gastric cancer among men.Stomach (gastric) cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It tends to be more common in Asia and ...

Oral Agent May Reduce Risk of Recurrences in Early Gastric Cancer 01/23/2007
According to a press release from Sanofi-Aventis and results presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, the addition of the investigative agent S-1 following surgery significantly improves recurrence-free survival compared to surgery alone in the treatment of early gastric cancer.It ...

No Beneficial Effect of Vitamin Supplementation on Precancerous Changes to the Stomach 01/17/2007
According to the results of a clinical trial conducted in Venezuela, supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene does not significantly affect the progression or regression of precancerous changes to the stomach. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.Cancer of the stomach is ...

Addition of Taxotere® to Platinol®/5-FU as Initial Therapy in Advanced Gastric Cancer Improves Survival 11/13/2006
According to results recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Taxotere® (docetaxel) to Platinol® (cisplatin) and 5-fluorouracil improves survival compared to Platinol/5-FU alone as initial therapy for advanced gastric cancer. These results were also presented at the 2005 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium.Gastric (stomach) cancer is ...

Higher Hospital Volume Linked with Better Survival After Gastrointestinal Surgery 11/08/2006
According to the results of a study conducted in Taiwan, patients with stomach, liver, colorectal, or esophageal cancers have better survival after surgery if the surgery is performed in a hospital that handles a greater number of these surgeries. These results were published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.The ...

Learning Curve for Surgeons Performing Gastrectomies for Gastric Cancer 11/07/2006
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, surgeons who perform 23 or more gastrectomies (partial or complete removal of the stomach and lymph nodes) have improved surgical outcomes among patients with gastric cancer.Cancer of the stomach, or gastric cancer, is the 14th most common ...

H.Pylori Increases Risk of Cancer in Lower Part of Stomach but Decreases Risk in Higher Part of Stomach 10/20/2006
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, infection with helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) increases the risk of developing cancer in the lower portion of the stomach; however, it decreases the risk of developing cancer in the upper portion of the stomach. Cancer of the ...

Further Data Suggesting Processed Meats Increase Risk of Stomach Cancer 08/02/2006
According to results recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, large intake of processed meats appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. Cancer of the stomach is called gastric cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer. It arises ...

Fermented or Smoked-dried Salted Meats and Fish Appear to Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer 07/28/2006
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Gastroenterology, high consumption of fermented pork fat and smoked-dried salted meat or fish is associated with an approximate three-fold increase in the risk of developing gastric cancer. Cancer of the stomach is called gastric cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common ...

Treatment of H. Pylori Infection Reduces Risk of Precancerous Changes to the Stomach 07/28/2006
According to the results of a study conducted in China and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, treatment of H. pylori infection reduced the risk of precancerous changes to the stomach. Long-term treatment with vitamin or garlic supplements had no effect. Cancer of the stomach is called ...

ECF Chemotherapy Prior to and Following Surgery Improves Survival in Early Gastric and Esophageal Cancer 07/10/2006
According to results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, treatment with the chemotherapy combination referred to as ECF (Ellence®, Platinol®, 5-FU) prior to and following surgery improves progression-free survival and overall survival compared to surgery alone among patients with early stomach or esophageal cancers. Gastric (stomach) cancer ...

Eloxatin® May Be Superior to Platinol® in Gastric Cancer 06/22/2006
According to results from a late-breaking abstract presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the chemotherapy regimen including Eloxatin® (oxaplatin) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) appears superior to the chemotherapy regimen Platinol® (cisplatin) and 5-FU in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Gastric (stomach) cancer is ...

Obesity Linked with Esophageal and Gastric Cardia Adenocarcinoma 06/05/2006
A combined analysis of previously published studies suggests a link between high body mass index and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and, possibly, of the gastric cardia. These results were published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. The esophagus is a tube that connects the back of the throat ...

Surgery in Responding Patients Feasible for GIST 05/22/2006
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the surgical removal of remaining cancer may improve survival for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors who achieve anticancer responses to systemic therapy. However, patients whose cancer progresses on systemic therapy do not appear to benefit from surgery. Gastrointestinal ...

Gleevec® May Inhibit Bone Growth 05/12/2006
Although Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) has improved survival for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, a small study suggests that Gleevec may interfere with bone formation. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), also called chronic granulocytic leukemia, is a cancer that originates in ...

Vaccine Improves Survival in Responding Patients with Gastric Cancer 04/24/2006
According to an article recently published in the journal Cancer, patients with advanced gastric cancer who respond to a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to help fight cancer demonstrate significantly improved survival compared to patients who do not respond to the vaccine. Cancer of the stomach, or gastric cancer, ...

Xeloda® Effective in Gastric Cancer 04/06/2006
According to a press release by Roche, the chemotherapy agent Xeloda® (capecitabine) appears to be just as effective as 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer when used in combination with Platinol® (cisplatin). Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the U.S. Approximately 90% of gastric ...

Surgery for Residual GIST May Improve Outcomes 03/30/2006
According to a study published in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, patients with initially inoperable and/or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that respond to treatment with Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) may benefit from surgical removal of remaining cancer. GIST is a rare type of cancer that originates in the wall of ...

Phase II Trial of Taxotere® and Xeloda® for Metastatic Gastric Cancer 03/30/2006
According to the results of a phase II clinical trial published in the Annals of Oncology, treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction with the chemotherapy drugs Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Xeloda® (capecitabine) reduced or eliminated detectable cancer in 39% of patients. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th ...

Taxotere® Approved for Advanced Gastric Cancer 03/24/2006
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the chemotherapy agent Taxotere® (docetaxel) for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The indication includes the combination of Taxotere with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (Platinol®) in patients with advanced gastric cancer who have not received prior therapy. This is the first ...

Survival Benefit with Greater Extent of Surgery in Gastric Cancer 03/16/2006
According to an early online publication in the Lancet Oncology, patients with gastric cancer who undergo surgery have improved survival when lymph nodes are removed to a greater extent. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the US. Standard treatment for gastric cancer depends largely on the ...

Meat Intake Linked with Stomach Cancer 03/07/2006
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, higher intake of red or processed meats was linked with an increased risk of developing noncardia gastric cancer (stomach cancer that develops below the upper part of the stomach). Cancer of the stomach is called gastric cancer. ...

Presence of H.Pylori Associated with Improved Outcomes for Patients with Early Gastric Cancer 02/16/2006
According to a recent early online publication in The Lancet Oncology, the presence of the infection Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is associated with improved survival and relapse-free survival in patients with gastric cancer who undergo surgery. Gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. ...

Sutent® Approved for GIST 01/27/2006
The United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved the new targeted agent Sutent® (sunitinib malate) for treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).  The indication includes the use of Sutent for patients with GIST that has stopped responding to the standard treatment agent Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) or for ...

Crohn's Disease Increases Risk of Intestinal Cancer 01/04/2006
According to a combined analysis of six studies, individuals with Crohn's disease have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and small intestine cancer. These results were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ...

Addition of Taxotere® to Standard Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Advanced Gastric Cancer 11/03/2005
The addition of Taxotere® (docetaxel) to the standard combination of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin improves overall survival and quality of life among patients with advanced gastric cancer, according to study results presented at the 2005 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th most common cancer ...

Levels of CEA Associated with Survival and Recurrences in Early Gastric Cancer 10/31/2005
According to results presented in the British Journal of Cancer, levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) found in a peritoneal wash is highly indicative of the risk of a cancer recurrence and survival in patients with early gastric cancer. Gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) is the second leading cause ...

Gene Expression Profiling Predicts Survival in Early Gastric Cancer 09/19/2005
According to a recent early online article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the use of three specific genes in gene expression profiling provides high accuracy in predicting survival in patients with early gastric (stomach) cancer following surgery alone. Patients with a poor prognosis may wish to pursue ...

Increased Doses of Gleevec® for Gleevec-Resistant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) Effective 08/17/2005
According to a recent article published in the European Journal of Cancer, increasing doses of Gleevec® (imatinib) provides anti-cancer activity in patients diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) that had stopped responding to lower doses of the drug.   Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a rare type of cancer that originate within ...

Combination Chemotherapy May Improve Outcome of Advanced Carcinoid Tumor 08/10/2005
The Journal of Clinical Oncology has recently published an article that finds that a combination of the chemotherapy drugs 5-fluorouaracil (5-FU) and streptozocin improved overall survival rates of patients with carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors are a malignancy that usually arises within the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors develop from a ...

Protein Mutations May Predict Outcomes for GIST Patients Treated with Gleevec® 05/23/2005
During a recent presentation at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, researchers reported that mutations in the cell to cell communicators known as KIT, are strongly associated with response rates and time to progression in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) who are treated ...

Lab Test Shows Promise for Detecting Gastric Cancer Recurrence 02/08/2005
A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that a lab test analyzing a cancer marker known as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) may be useful in identifying patients who may be at risk for recurrence of gastric cancer. Gastric cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form ...

Preoperative Interleukin-2 May Improve Outcomes in Gastric Cancer 01/28/2005
According to results recently published in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, treatment with interleukin-2 (IL-2) prior to surgery may improve outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. The stomach is an organ that is located in the upper abdomen. It is part of the digestive system that passes semi-digested food and ...

Increased Doses of Gleevec® More Effective in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors 09/29/2004
According to a recent article published in the Lancet, increasing the dose of Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) reduces the risk of a cancer relapse in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a unique subset of cancers that are most often located in the stomach, but can ...

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Promising for Advanced Gastric Cancer 05/07/2004
According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may allow patients diagnosed with inoperable gastric cancer to undergo the surgical removal of their cancer and ultimately improve their long-term outcome. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the United States. Approximately ...

Eradication of H.pylori Effective in Preventing Gastric Cancer in Subgroup of Patients 02/03/2004
According to a recent article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, eradiation of infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) appears to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer in patients who do not have pre-cancerous areas of the stomach. However, eradication of H. pylori ...

More Than 15 Lymph Nodes Removed During Surgery may Improve Survival in Stage III Gastric Cancer 11/12/2003
According to a recent article published in the journal Surgery, the removal of at least 15 lymph nodes during surgery appears to improve duration of survival for patients with stage III gastric cancer. 1 Cancer of the stomach is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the tissues of ...

Alimta® Active in Advanced Gastric Cancer 10/15/2003
According to a recent article published in the Annals of Oncology, the chemotherapy agent Alimta® (pemetrexed disodium) appears to be an active and well tolerated agent in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and may provide an effective treatment alternative for this disease. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th ...

Main Causes for Gastric and Esophageal Cancers Preventable 09/26/2003
According to an article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the main causes of both gastric and esophageal cancers are preventable. The esophagus and stomach are both parts of the digestive system. The esophagus is a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to ...

Taxotere®/Platinol®/5-FU may Improve Survival in Metastatic Gastric Cancer 09/17/2003
According to results presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Taxotere® to Platinol® and 5-fluorouracil may improve survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the United States. Approximately ...

G17DT may Enhance Chemotherapy Responses in Advanced Gastric Cancer 02/20/2003
According to results from a recent clinical trial, the addition of the biological agent G17DT to chemotherapy may enhance anti-cancer responses in patients with metastatic stomach cancer. 1 Cancer of the stomach is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the tissues of the stomach, which is located in ...

Paraplatin®/Etoposide/Doxorubicin Effective for Advanced Gastric Cancer 02/07/2003
According to a recent article published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology, the chemotherapy combination consisting of Paraplatin® (carboplatin), etoposide (VePesid®) and doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) appears to produce anti-cancer activity in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Cancer of the stomach is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in ...

Long-term Japanese Study Links High Intake of Vegetables and Fruits to Lower Gastric Cancer Rates 01/23/2003
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, diets high in fruits and vegetables appear to reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer, even if they are consumed in relatively small amounts. Gastric cancer (stomach cancer) is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in ...

Taxotere®/5-FU/Ellence® Promising for Advanced Gastric Cancer 11/08/2002
According to results recently presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology, the chemotherapy combination consisting of Taxotere® (docetaxel), 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) and Ellence® (epirubicin) appears to be a highly effective treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Cancer of the stomach is characterized by ...

Sentinel Node Biopsy May Accurately Predict Spread to Lymph Nodes in Gastric Cancer 06/06/2002
According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsies in patients with gastric cancer may accurately predict cancer spread to local lymph nodes and reduce the need for further surgery in patients without cancer spread. The stomach is the primary ...

Mortality from Some Cancer Surgeries Reduced in Large-Volume Hospitals 04/15/2002
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, death related to surgical procedures (surgical mortality) for some cancers may be significantly reduced if patients receive treatment in hospitals that perform large volumes of the surgical procedure annually. The surgical removal of cancer is ...

Helicobacter Pylori Infection Linked to Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
According to a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) appears to be the main cause of gastric cancer. Gastric cancer (stomach cancer) is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the tissues of the stomach, ...

Genetic Test Predicts Risk of Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Individuals who are at risk for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, a rare type of stomach cancer, may benefit from predictive genetic testing and prophylactic surgery, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Gastric cancer is characterized by the ...

Aspirin May Reduce Risk of Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Although aspirin has often been associated with gastric mucosal damage, the use of aspirin may actually reduce the risk of gastric cancer, according to the results of a study published in the British Journal of Cancer. Gastric cancer (stomach cancer) is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in ...

Carcinogens in Milk May Cause Gastric Cancer in Venezuela 02/12/2002
The presence of a fern, Pteridium spp., in the Venezuelan Andes may be responsible for the high incidence of gastric cancer in the area, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Cancer. Gastric cancer is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the tissues ...

Helicobacter Pylori Increases the Risk of Developing Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Infection with the bacteria, Helicobacter Pylori (H pylori), has been linked to an increased risk of developing gastric (stomach) cancer. In fact, 85% to 95% of all gastric cancers are thought to be caused by this infection. Researchers have been studying the relationship between the infection of ...

Testing for Helicobacter and Precancerous Conditions May Help Head Off Malignancy in Relatives of Persons with Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
First-degree relatives of persons who have had stomach cancer are at an increased risk to develop the disease themselves. For this reason, researchers are now recommending testing for Helicobacter pylori, low acid production, and shrinkage and loss of cells in the stomach, 3 factors that are associated with ...

Further Evidence That Adjuvant Therapy Improves Survival for Gastric Cancer Patients 02/12/2002
Chemotherapy following surgery appears to significantly improve survival time for patients with gastric cancer, according to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer. The stomach is the primary organ of digestion. It receives food from the esophagus and is located in the upper abdomen. Gastric cancer ...

Taxotere® Promising for Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Results from recent clinical trials indicate that the chemotherapy agent Taxotere® demonstrates anti-cancer activity in the treatment of gastric cancer. The stomach is the primary organ of digestion. It receives food from the esophagus and is located in the upper abdomen. Gastric cancer (stomach cancer) is characterized by the ...

Postoperative Enteral Nutrition Reduces Complications in Gastrointestinal Cancer 02/12/2002
According to results published in the Lancet, postoperative enteral nutrition may significantly reduce complications and the length of hospital stays for patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The gastrointestinal tract consists of organs that assist in the movement, digestion or assimilation of nutrients from food into the body. The major components ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation: A New Standard of Care for Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Results from a large clinical trial recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, confirm previous reports that adjuvant therapy, (treatment with chemotherapy and radiation following surgery) significantly improves survival for patients with gastric cancer and should become the standard of care for this disease. The stomach is ...

Camptosar®/5-FU Produces Modest Activity in Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
The chemotherapy combination consisting of Camptosar® and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) produces modest active responses in patients with locally advanced to advanced gastric cancer, according to results presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The stomach is the primary organ of digestion. It ...

Pivotal Trial Defines New Standard Multi-Modality Treatment for Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Treatment with chemotherapy plus radiation following surgery appears to improve survival time and double the rate of progression-free survival in patients with locally advanced stomach cancer, according to results from a recent clinical trial presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology annual meeting, 2000. For ...

Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor: Lanreotide Is a Convenient, Effective Drug for Relieving Symptoms of Flushing and Diarrhea 02/12/2002
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are cancers that can cause flushing, diarrhea, and shortness of breath, a group of symptoms often referred to as carcinoid syndrome. A drug called octreotide, given by injection 2 to 3 times per day, is commonly used to relieve these symptoms. Now, researchers report that ...

Surgery for Stomach Cancer: Removing More Lymph Nodes May Produce Better Outcomes 02/12/2002
In Japan, cancer of the stomach is more common and the cure rate after surgery is better than in the United States. Because of this discrepancy, the American College of Surgeons Commission and the American Cancer Society reviewed the cases of 50,169 persons who received surgical treatment for ...

Surgery for Stomach Cancer: Removal of the Stomach and Lymph Nodes, but not Pancreas, Produces High Survival RatesSurgery for Stomach Cancer: Removal of the Stomach and Lymph Nodes, but not Pancreas, 02/12/2002
The removal of the stomach and lymph nodes, but not the pancreas, has produced high survival rates in persons with stomach cancer, say researchers from Italy. These findings are important in the midst of some controversy about how extensive surgery for stomach cancer ought to be. Frequently, treatment ...

Chemotherapy after Surgery is Not Beneficial for Many Patients with Early-Stage Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Thus far, the routine use of chemotherapy after surgery has not been shown to improve survival for patients with stomach or gastric cancer in whom all visible cancer was removed surgically. This is the conclusion that researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston drew after their review ...

U.S. Doctors Report Excellent Outcomes after Surgery for Early-Stage Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Cancer of the stomach is more common in Japan than it is in the United States. Because of the high incidence of this type of cancer, screening examinations used in Japan lead to detection of stomach cancer earlier in the disease than they do in the United States. ...

Surgery Using an Instrument, Called an Endoscope, May Help Preserve the Stomach in Persons with Superficial Early-Stage Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Cancer of the stomach is more common in Japan than it is in the United States. Because of the high incidence of this type of cancer, screening examinations used in Japan lead to detection of stomach cancer earlier in the disease than they do in the United States. ...

Partial Gastrectomy Is Effective Treatment for Selected Patients with Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Persons who have cancer of the lower part of the stomach are frequently treated with surgical removal of the entire stomach (called a total gastrectomy). This extensive surgery is performed to control the cancer and to help prevent recurrence (or return) of the cancer. However, this type of ...

Cancer of the Stomach: Surgery Is Effective for Stage IB and II Cancers, Limited to the Stomach Muscle Wall 02/12/2002
Persons who have cancer of the stomach are frequently treated with surgical removal of the cancer or the part of the stomach that contains the cancer. This surgery is performed to control the cancer and to help prevent recurrence (or return) of the cancer. More than 90% of ...

Patients with Early-Stage (T1) Stomach Cancer Do Not Benefit from Chemotherapy after Surgery 02/12/2002
The majority of persons who have stomach cancer that has not spread to area lymph nodes and has not penetrated the outer wall of the stomach are often cured with surgery alone. Chemotherapy received after surgery (called adjuvant chemotherapy) can help prevent cancer recurrence (return of cancer) in ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Surgery for Localized Gastric May Be Beneficial for Patients with the Highest Risk of Recurrence But More Clinical Trials Are Needed 02/12/2002
In patients with localized gastric cancer, approximately 75% of patients survive if the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. When the lymph nodes are involved with cancer, the survival duration decreases despite surgical removal of lymph nodes. When cancer is found in the lymph nodes, it ...

Dose-Intensive Hydroxyurea, Fluorouracil and Alfa-2a Interferon is Effective Palliation for Metastatic Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer is an incurable cancer and the goal of treatment is palliation. Randomized trials have demonstrated survival and quality of life benefits for patients who received chemotherapy compared with those who received best supportive care. In the past 20 years many combinations of ...

Treatment of Localized Stomach Cancer: Fluorouracil Plus Doxorubicin Plus Methotrexate before Surgery May Not Be of Benefit 02/12/2002
Persons who have early-stage stomach cancer often undergo surgery to remove the cancer. When the cancer has spread locally, to the area around the stomach (but not to other parts of the body), all of the cancer may not be able to be removed surgically. Researchers have been ...

An Abdominal Approach to Total Gastrectomy for Adenocarcinoma of the Upper Stomach Is Possible and Avoids Opening Both the Abdomen and Chest as Is Usually Done 02/12/2002
The removal of the stomach and lymph nodes, but not the pancreas, has produced high survival rates in persons with stomach cancer, say researchers from Italy. These findings are important in the midst of some controversy about how extensive surgery for stomach cancer ought to be. Frequently, treatment ...

Extensive Lymph Node Dissection Does Not Improve Survival for Patients with Localized Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Surgery with removal of all or part of the stomach plus removal of lymph nodes is the standard treatment of patients with localized stomach cancer. However, there is controversy over the extent of surgery necessary to cure the maximum number of patients with localized gastric cancer. Some doctors, ...

Imatinib Improves Survival in GISTs 02/12/2002
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, imatinib (formerly STI-571) is well tolerated and significantly improves survival in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a unique subset of cancers that are most often located in the stomach, but can arise anywhere in ...

Oral Tegafur Substituted for Intravenous 5-FU in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
The substitution of oral tegafur for intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is effective and more convenient in combination chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric (stomach) cancer, according to recent results published in the journal Cancer. The stomach is the primary organ of digestion. It receives food from the esophagus and is ...

STI571 Most Effective Agent for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors 02/12/2002
STI571 significantly improves survival in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors, according to recent results presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a unique subset of cancers that are most often located in the stomach. GIST arises from ...

Immunotherapy Improves Survival for Patients with Stage III Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Injections of the bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, may produce anti-cancer activity and prolong survival for patients with stage III gastric (stomach) cancer, according to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer. The stomach is the primary organ of digestion. It receives food from the esophagus and is ...

Paclitaxel and Concurrent Radiation Therapy has Substantial Activity in Inoperable Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
When a person is diagnosed with cancer of the stomach while it is still at a very early stage, treatment with surgery alone can often be curative. However, for an individual with more advanced stomach cancer, other treatments, such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, may be needed to ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment is Effective in Preventing Recurrences in Stage III Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Patients with stage III gastric cancer have spread of cancer to adjacent structures and/or regional lymph nodes. Approximately 15% of selected patients can be cured with surgery alone. The role of chemotherapy given after surgery to prevent cancer recurrences is not clear and several clinical studies have failed ...

High-Dose Chemotherapy Produces High Response Rates in Patients with Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
In patients with unresectable gastric (stomach) cancer, chemotherapy is sometimes used to shrink the cancer before surgery. However, few if any patients have a complete response following combined chemotherapy and surgery. In cancers that are sensitive to chemotherapy, response rates can be improved by administering high-dose chemotherapy with ...

Paclitaxel Plus Fluorouracil May Be the Most Effective Chemotherapy Combination for Advanced Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
When a person is diagnosed with cancer of the stomach while it is still at a very early stage, treatment with surgery alone can often be curative. However, for an individual with more advanced stomach cancer, other treatments, such as chemotherapy, may be needed to help relieve symptoms ...

Treatment of Advanced Stomach Cancer: New Platinum Chemotherapy, Called SKI-2053R, Shows Anti-Cancer Activity 02/12/2002
The use of a new platinum chemotherapy drug, currently called SKI-2053R, may provide effectiveness against advanced stomach cancer, without the side effects of the commonly used platinum drug, cisplatin. Patients who have stomach cancer that is detected early can often be cured with surgery alone. Patients with more advanced ...

Treatment of Advanced Stomach Cancer: Epirubicin Plus Cisplatin Plus UFT Appears to Be Effective 02/12/2002
Persons who have early-stage stomach cancer often undergo surgery to remove the cancer. When the cancer is more advanced and has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), all of the cancer cannot be removed surgically. For the past few decades, the chemotherapy drug, fluorouracil, has been ...

Test, Called Laparoscopy, Helps Determine Correct Treatment for Advanced Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
When a person is diagnosed with cancer of the stomach while it is still at a very early stage, treatment with surgery alone can be curative. However, for an individual with more advanced stomach cancer, other treatments, including chemotherapy before or after surgery, may be necessary. For this ...

Camptosar® Plus Cisplatin Is an Active Chemotherapy Combination against Advanced Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Persons who have early-stage stomach cancer often undergo surgery to remove the cancer. When the cancer is more advanced and has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), all of the cancer cannot be removed surgically. For persons with advanced stomach cancer, the chemotherapy drugs, fluorouracil and ...

Chemotherapy Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric Cancer 02/12/2002
Locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer is an incurable cancer and the goal of currently available standard treatment is palliation. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated prolonged survival and improved quality of life benefits for patients who received chemotherapy compared to patients who only receive best supportive care. In ...

Green Tea Does Not Appear to Prevent Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Contrary to popular belief, green tea offers no protection against gastric cancer. In fact, researchers in Japan have found no association, inverse or otherwise, between the consumption of green tea and the risk of gastric cancer, according to a study recently published in the New England Journal of ...

Antibiotics and Antioxidants May Prevent Stomach Cancer 02/12/2002
Both antibiotic therapy and supplementation with antioxidants can prevent the precancerous progression that leads to stomach cancer, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the tissues of the stomach, ...

Low Levels of Selenium Associated With Esophageal and Gastric Cancers in China 02/08/2002
In a study in China, researchers found a highly significant association between low levels of selenium in the blood and a high incidence of esophageal and gastric cancers. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, led researchers to estimate that over 25% of esophageal ...