Open AccessChemotherapy beyond second-line in advanced gastric cancer
Author(s) -
Sung Min Kim,
Se Hoon Park
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8811
Subject(s) - chemotherapy , medicine , cancer , oncology , intensive care medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , second line , randomized controlled trial , first line , nursing
Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) can be treated with multiple lines of chemotherapy. Although several randomized trials have demonstrated the benefit of second-line chemotherapy compared with best supportive care, there is no evidence that further lines of chemotherapy will result in substantial prolongation of survival. Despite this, the practice of offering chemotherapy beyond second-line agents to AGC patients is not uncommon if their performance status is well-preserved and they are willing to receive subsequent active treatments. The choice of chemotherapeutic agents depends on the patient's prior regimens. However, there are important controversial issues in the salvage setting of AGC, including a subset of patients who may benefit from chemotherapy, that still remain unanswered. This report reviews the available evidence regarding the impact of third- and subsequent lines of chemotherapy on survival and quality of life in patients with AGC.