Meeting report of the 73rd Japanese Gastric Cancer Congress

Abstract

surgical techniques. In this session, reconstruction methods after gastrectomy were discussed. K. Nakamura, Tokai University, evaluated the survival rates in patients who had undergone various reconstructive procedures after distal and total gastrectomy. They reported that higher 5-year survival rates were observed in patients who had undergone gastroduodenostomy and jejunal interposition, allowing food to pass through the duodenum, than in those who had undergone gastroor esophagojejunostomy. They suggested that reconstruction enabling food to pass through the duodenum should be performed irrespective of the disease stage. Y. Nakane, Kansai Medical University, reported that reconstruction with a jejunal pouch after total gastrectomy was effective in the prevention of the small stomach syndrome, but that long-term emptying disorders were observed in some patients after Roux-en-Y anastomosis with a jejunal pouch. H. Kashimura, Jikei University, reported that the ileocolon interposition was superior to the Roux-en-Y method after total gastrectomy because less reflux esophagitis and more food intake occurred at each meal. K. Yamaguchi, Sapporo Medical University, evaluated jejunal pouch interposition after proximal gastrectomy both clinically and experimentally. They performed jejunal pouch interposition or esophagogastrostomy in beagles and showed that the former was superior to the latter in terms of changes in gastrointestinal hormones, maintenance of body weight, and emptying of the residual stomach. They concluded that jejunal pouch interposition should be considered after proximal gastrectomy. S. Kinami, Kanazawa University, evaluated jejunal pouch interposition after distal gastrectomy. As compared with the Billroth I method, the incidences of dumping syndrome, bile reflux and inflammation of the remnant stomach, and Helicobacter pylori infection were all low. The 73rd Congress of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) was held at Kanazawa City, March 1–3, 2001, and attended by 1350 participants. A total of 517 papers were presented. In addition to free papers and poster presentations, a variety of gastric cancer topics ranging from molecular biology to frontline surgical techniques were discussed at two special symposia, four regular symposia, two video symposia, four panel discussions, four workshops, and four debate sessions. An open educational session entitled “Basic principles of diagnosis and treatment for gastric cancer” was organized for the first time at the 73rd JGCA congress, and the meeting hall was unexpectedly packed to overflowing with young attendees. The JGCA completed the first edition of the Guideline for Gastric Cancer Treatment just before the congress, and a special forum was held for the editorial members to present the principal points. This guideline is expected to serve as the standard not only in clinical practice but also for clinical trials in the future. Discussions of some of the main topics of the congress are summarized below by a chairperson of the session.