title: Requirement for a standardised definition of advanced gastric cancer.
abstract: Each year, ~988,000 new cases of stomach cancer are reported worldwide. Uniformity for the definition of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) is required to ensure the improved management of patients. Various classifications do actually exist for gastric cancer, but the classification determined by lesion depth is extremely important, as it has been shown to correlate with patient prognosis; for example, early gastric cancer (EGC) has a favourable prognosis when compared with AGC. In the literature, the definition of EGC is clear, however, there is heterogeneity in the definition of AGC. In the current study, all parameters of the TNM classification for AGC reported in each previous study were individually analysed. It was necessary to perform a comprehensive systematic literature search of all previous studies that have reported a definition of ACG to guarantee homogeneity in the assessment of surgical outcome. It must be understood that the term 'advanced gastric cancer' may implicate a number of stages of disease, and studies must highlight the exact clinical TNM stages used for evaluation of the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University of Perugia, St. Maria Hospital, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DE Sol
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trastulli
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barillaro
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boccolini
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Micol Sole
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: DI Patrizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: DI Rocco
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cirocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redler
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noya
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kong
keywords: Japanese Gastroenterological Endoscopic Society; advanced gastric cancer; early gastric cancer; stomach cancer