Challenges and Opportunities in Metastatic Gastric Cancer

STATEMENT OF NEED

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the US, an estimated 27,510 new cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed annually, and 11,140 people die of the disease. Despite advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, due to the molecular heterogeneity of gastric cancer, prognosis remains poor. The 5-year survival rate for all stages is 31%, with only 5% of those diagnosed with distant-stage disease surviving longer than 5 years. Given this poor prognosis and the fact that most gastric cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages, new screening and treatment strategies represent a significant unmet medical need.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Oncology physicians, oncology advanced practitioners, oncology nurses, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1. Assess pathologic and molecular characteristics that can individualize treatment selection for patients with metastatic gastric cancer
2. Differentiate emerging efficacy and safety data on novel therapies for patients with metastatic gastric cancer
3. Apply strategies to monitor and manage adverse events associated with novel therapies for metastatic gastric cancer

Note: The learning objectives listed above apply to nurse practitioners and registered nurses in addition to physicians.