Digestive cancer management in Asia: position statements: a report on GI Oncology Summit in 2011.
OBJECTIVE
With the rising incidence of digestive cancers in the Asia Pacific region and the advancement in diagnosis, management and palliation in these conditions, the clinical burden on oncologists is ever increasing. This Summit meeting was called to discuss the optimal management of digestive cancers and the role of Gastroenterologists.


METHODS
Experts from Asia Pacific countries in the fields of medical, oncologic, surgical and endoscopic management of cancers in the esophagus, stomach, colon/rectum and the liver reviewed the literature and their practice. 18 position statements were drafted, debated and voted.


RESULTS
It was agreed that the burden on GI cancer is increasing. More research will be warranted on chemotherapy, chemoprevention, cost-effectiveness of treatment and nutrition. Cancer management guidelines should be developed in this region when more clinical data are available. In order to improve care to patients, a multi-disciplinary team coordinated by a "cancer therapist" is proposed. This cancer therapist can be a gastroenterologist, a surgeon or any related discipline who have acquired core competence training. This training should include an attachment in a center-of-excellence in cancer management for no less than 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of GI cancer should be an integrated multi-disciplinary approach and training for GI cancer therapists should be provided for.
Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jjysung@cuhk.edu.hk
Joseph J Y
JJ
Sung
Enders K W
EK
Ng
Jaw-Town
JT
Lin
K Y
KY
Ho
Jia-Fu
JF
Ji
Kentaro
K
Sugano
Ronnie T P
RT
Poon
Anthony T C
AT
Chan
Khean-Lee
KL
Goh
Kwang-Hyub
KH
Han
Leo L T
LL
Chen
Kai-Chun
KC
Wu
Simon S M
SS
Ng
Robert S
RS
Bresalier
Francis K L
FK
Chan
D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D018890:Chemoprevention; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004032:Diet; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education*; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010819:Physician's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D057285:Precision Medicine; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016526:Workload