Preoperative basal chemotherapy in the management of cancer of the stomach: a preliminary report.

Nine patients with advanced gastric carcinoma have been treated with a programme of chemotherapy as the first stage of management with the objective of reducing tumour extent and viability in preparation for subsequent surgery where feasible. In eight patients the chemotherapy was given by intraarterial infusion into the coeliac axis, and the remaining patient was given intravenous chemotherapy. Most patients gained symptomatic improvement, including pain relief, and in seven patients tumour regression was achieved. In six patients tumour regression was followed by gastrectomy. Residual tumour was found in five of these six patients, and was not found in one.