title: R0 resection in the treatment of gastric cancer: room for improvement.
abstract: Gastric carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies in the world and its clinical behavior especially depends on the metastatic potential of the tumor. In particular, lymphatic metastasis is one of the main predictors of tumor recurrence and survival, and current pathological staging systems reflect the concept that lymphatic spread is the most relevant prognostic factor in patients undergoing curative resection. This is compounded by the observation that two-thirds of gastric cancer in the Western world presents at an advanced stage, with lymph node metastasis at diagnosis. All current therapeutic efforts in gastric cancer are directed toward individualization of therapeutic protocols, tailoring the extent of resection and the administration of preoperative and postoperative treatment. The goals of all these strategies are to improve prognosis towards the achievement of a curative resection (R0 resection) with minimal morbidity and mortality, and better postoperative quality of life.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Persiani
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cananzi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoccali
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vigorita
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tufo
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Ugo
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome