title: Current status and progress in gastric cancer with liver metastasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review discusses the current status and progress in studies on gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM), involving the routes, subtypes, and prognosis of GCLM; the genes and molecules associated with metastasis; the feasibility and value of each imaging modality; and current treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed published in English from 2005 to August 2010. The search terms were "gastric cancer" and "liver metastasis".
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles regarding the characteristics, diagnostic modalities, and various therapeutic options of GCLM were selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prognosis of GCLM is influenced by the clinicopathological characteristics of primary tumors, as well as the presence of liver metastases. Improved understanding of related genes and molecules will lead to the development of methods of early detection and targeted therapies. For the diagnosis of GCLM, each imaging modality has its relative benefits. There remains no consensus regarding therapeutic options.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection and characterization of liver metastases is crucial for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Multidisciplinary team discussions are required to design optimal treatment strategies, which should be based on the clinicopathological characteristics of each patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery