Oesophago-gastric cancer: Assessment and management in adults

Excerpt

Oesophago-gastric cancer presents patients, carers and healthcare professionals alike with a range of difficult management decisions. Those affected by the disease often undergo a complex investigative pathway as a prelude to a variety of treatments with wide ranging short- and long-term effects that require continued support throughout the initial period of care and beyond. We hope that this document will provide helpful and appropriate guidance to both patients and professionals alike on the diagnosis and subsequent management of early and locally advanced oesophago-gastric cancers.

It has been impossible to cover every aspect of the patient pathway but instead as a group we have concentrated on those areas where it was felt uncertainty or variation in practice currently exists. As such the guideline is not intended as an exhaustive textbook on the management of oesophago-gastric cancer. The guideline sets out recommendations that will hopefully be helpful and informative in decision-making and management of a variety of situations but cannot be a substitute for clinical judgement in a specific case. We were aided and supported in our goal by a diverse and engaged Guideline Committee and are grateful for all the hard work, commitment and common sense demonstrated by them throughout the two-year process. Their complementary skills and perspectives have inspired this guideline. We would also like to thank the staff at the National Guideline Alliance for their considerable support during the development of this guideline.