Gastric Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment guidelines 2008: Uganda Cancer Working Group

In Uganda most cancers to the exception of bladder and penis are increasing in incidence. The incidence of cancer of stomach is 5.6/100,000 from 0.8/100,000 in the 1960s a seven fold increase.The purpose of this guideline document is to highlight the salient points in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment in the Ugandan context. It doesn’t only outline what is practical and efficacious but also our aspirations of practice as resources committed to the whole area of Oncological care services improve in the country. The primary and secondary prevention strategies are outlined. The multistage process of gastric oncogenesis is discussed in relation to the scientific basis of diagnostic and screening procedures. The treatment modalities including surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy are discussed. A prognostication scale is included. Traditionally gastric cancer presents late and with a poor prognosis. The greatest strategy we have for management is in primary and secondary prevention. However a better understanding of how it arises (risk factors) will be important in informing prevention and treatment strategies. The Uganda cancer-working group intends that this information is disseminated to wider readership in the region as part of the strategy of improving Oncological care service in the region.