Localized stomach cancer: Perioperative or postoperative approach? A meta‐analysis of phase III studies

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim Despite the development and standardization of surgical techniques in the treatment of localized gastric adenocarcinoma, the loco‐regional and metastatic recurrence rate remains high. A combined radiochemotherapeutic regimen (the MacDonald regimen) as well as perioperative chemotherapy allows a significant improvement in the survival of patients with localized gastric adenocarcinoma with a reduction in the recurrence rate compared to surgery alone. The purpose of this review is to specify the best therapeutic approach in the treatment of localized gastric cancer. Methods We performed a systemic search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Ovid without language restriction. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. Results We pooled 727 patients from two phase III randomized controlled trials. There was a benefit of perioperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone on the overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55–0.95) and on disease free survival (DFS) (HR = 0.65, CI: 0.50–0.85). Adjuvant chemotherapy was superior to surgery alone based on OS and disease free survival (CLASSIC study HR = 0.72, CI: 0.52–1 and HR = 0.56, CI: 0.44–0.72, respectively). Adjuvant radiochemotherapy was superior to surgery alone (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.09–1.66; P = 0.005). Conclusion A face‐to‐face comparison of perioperative chemotherapy versus adjuvant chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy is necessary.

Keywords

• adjuvant chemoradiotherapy
• adjuvant chemotherapy
• gastric cancer
• perioperative chemotherapy