The Role of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer

Choi, Min Ho

doi:2013.13.3.147

Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res > Volume 13(3); 2013 > Article

Review

The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2013;13(3):147-153.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2013.13.3.147 Published online September 10, 2013.

The Role of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer

Min Ho Choi

Department of Internal Medicine, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea. helico6@hanmail.net

진행성 위암 치료에서 소화기 내시경의 역할

최민호

한림대학교 의과대학 내과학교실

Abstract

Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Korea. Poor prognosis and high incidence of complications are expected for advanced gastric cancer. Surgical treatment is the only therapeutic modality that has a potentially curative effect. Endoscopic treatment is indicated for palliation, symptomatic relief, hemostatis and oral nutrition. With the introduction of uncovered self-expanding metal stents in the early 1990s, endoscopic stents have evolved dramatically over the past 20 years and is primarily used to palliate symptoms of malignant obstruction in patients with inoperable gastrointestinal cancer. Malignant tumours were the source of bleeding in 5% of patients with overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Patients presenting with tumor-associated UGIB have substantial blood loss at presentation. Initial hemostasis occurs in almost all patients, with endoscopic therapy, but rebleeding frequently occurs and early rebleeding is associated with poor survival.

Key Words: Stomach neoplasms; Gastrointestinal endoscopy; Obstruction; Stents; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage