Impact of the 7th Edition AJCC staging classification on the NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology for gastric and esophageal cancers

Abstract

The 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual has attempted to harmonize gastric and esophageal cancers, including management of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ)-type tumors. The treatment of complex tumor types is best guided by a staging classification that reliably groups patients according to prognosis and therapy. This article reviews and discusses these changes with the goal of elucidating key features of the staging system and outlining how these changes relate to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology with regard to the care and treatment of patients. The 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual has certainly improved harmonization of gastric and distal esophageal/GEJ-type adenocarcinomas, although issues persist, particularly regarding the optimal neoadjuvant treatment for the management of GEJ carcinomas.