CT evaluation of the resectability of gastric cancer postchemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
To determine the accuracy of CT in the postchemotherapy assessment of resectability of gastric cancer.


METHODS
Thirty patients deemed to have unresectable gastric cancer on CT were studied. This was verified at laparotomy in 10 of these patients. Following initial assessment, all received three to eight cycles of chemotherapy aiming for disease control and potential resection. Serial CT examinations, endoscopy, and biopsy were performed after the fourth, sixth, and eighth cycle of treatment. The primary tumor and lymph nodes seen on CT were compared with operative findings.


RESULTS
After completion of chemotherapy, CT findings were correct in 23 patients. Fourteen of them had operable tumors and nine were inoperable. However, the CT findings were either equivocal or incorrect in the remaining seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy is now able to downstage a previously inoperable gastric cancer, and CT is an accurate method in identifying those patients who can proceed to resection.
Gossios
K
K
General Hospital of Ioannina, Computed Tomography Section, Makriyianni Str, 450 01 Ioannina, Greece.
Tsianos
E V
EV
Nicolson
V
V
Bamias
A
A
Cunningham
D
D
Husband
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005743:Gastrectomy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015251:Epirubicin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate