Recognition and consideration on the evolution trends and directions of the therapeutic strategies for early gastric cancer from the changes of different versions of Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines / 中国实用外科杂志

ABSTRACT

With the better diagnosis of early gastric cancer,increasing diversity and complexity of its treatment has united a multidisciplinary team led by physicians and surgeons. Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines are compiled and reviewed by a committee composed of physicians, surgeons and pathologists, which are based on the epidemiological trend of gastric cancer in Japan over the past two decades and clinical evidence from Japanese domestic studies and other promi-nent international clinical trials. Updated every three to six years, the guidelines now have five versions. They are one of the authoritative documents for the diagnosis and treatment for gastric cancer in the world. As far as the treatment strategies for early gastric cancer are concerned, they include the changes of endoscopic resection, the evolution of minimally invasive surgery, the widespread application of laparoscopic surgery and the promotion of the concept of functional preservation.The evolutionary trends are perfect reflections of a philosophical shift of Japanese physicians towards precision medicinefrom radical resection to functional preservation, and from long-term survival only to better quality of life.