[New aspects in the concept of adjuvant and after-care therapy for gastric carcinoma?].

Basis and current possibilities of adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer are discussed. The response rate with 5-FU und nitrosoureas for advanced gastric cancer is significantly superior to all other regimens. Based on Japanese experiences a higher survival rate is observed in the curatively resected patients treated with postoperative prophylactic chemotherapy. The drawing of reliable conclusions must await the results of further studies. Efforts for individual chemotherapy by measurement of cell production of recurrences and the necessity of aftercare in gastric cancer patients are explained.