title: Modern imaging techniques for preoperative detection of distant metastases in gastric cancer.
abstract: A substantial portion of patients with newly diagnosed gastric cancer has distant metastases (M1 disease). These patients have a very poor prognosis and it is generally accepted that they should be treated with noncurative intent. Because it dramatically changes prognosis and treatment plans, it is very important to diagnose distant metastases. In this article, the definition, pathways, incidence and sites of distant metastases in gastric cancer are described. Subsequently, the current performance of imaging in detecting distant metastases in newly diagnosed gastric cancer is outlined and future prospects are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Robert M Kwee, Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kwee
authors.affiliation: Robert M Kwee, Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kwee
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Computed tomography; Distant metastases; Gastric cancer; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Metastatic disease; Positron emission tomography; Scintigraphy; Ultrasonography