Treatment strategies for metastatic gastric cancer: chemotherapy, palliative surgery or radiotherapy?

Abstract

Aim: This study explored whether chemotherapy combined with palliative surgery and/or radiotherapy is a possible treatment for metastatic gastric cancer. Materials & methods: Patients were divided into groups according to treatments. COX models were used to explore prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier models and log-rank tests were used to analyze outcomes. Outcomes were analyzed before and after propensity score matching. Results: Chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy or metastasectomy prolongs the survival time compared with chemotherapy alone (p < 0.05). Chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy plus metastasectomy and/or radiation therapy also prolongs the survival time (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy could be a more effective treatment for metastatic gastric cancer. Chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy plus metastasectomy and/or radiation therapy could also be a promising treatment.