OBJECTIVEThis review discusses the current status and progress in studies on gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM), involving the routes, subtypes, and prognosis of GCLM; the genes and molecules associated with metastasis; the feasibility and value of each imaging modality; and current treatment options.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed published in English from 2005 to August 2010. The search terms were "gastric cancer" and "liver metastasis".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the characteristics, diagnostic modalities, and various therapeutic options of GCLM were selected.

RESULTSThe prognosis of GCLM is influenced by the clinicopathological characteristics of primary tumors, as well as the presence of liver metastases. Improved understanding of related genes and molecules will lead to the development of methods of early detection and targeted therapies. For the diagnosis of GCLM, each imaging modality has its relative benefits. There remains no consensus regarding therapeutic options.

CONCLUSIONSEarly detection and characterization of liver metastases is crucial for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Multidisciplinary team discussions are required to design optimal treatment strategies, which should be based on the clinicopathological characteristics of each patient.

Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; surgery

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Gastroenterology ; trends ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Liver Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Liver Failure, Acute ; etiology ; therapy ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; surgery ; therapy ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; therapy

Primary liver cancer, most of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third common leading cancer in Korea. During the last two decades, the incidence rate of primary liver cancer has shown a modest decrease, but its mortality rate has slightly increased. The incidence of HCC, according to age, peaks in the late sixth decade in men and in the early seventh decade in women. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most important risk factor, which represents approximately 70% of all HCC, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol are the next in order of major risk factors for the development of HCC in Korea. HBV-associated HCC occurs 10 years earlier than HCV-associated HCC due to a more prolonged exposure to HBV, which is vertically transmitted almost from HBsAg-positive mother in HBV-endemic area. National Cancer Control Institute, which was reorganized in 2005, is now working for several national projects such as National Cancer Registration Program, National R&D Program for Cancer Control and National Cancer Screening Program. International collaboration for the clinico-epidemiologic research would be needed to provide the specific measures for managing HCC in diverse etiologic situations. Finally, the mechanisms of hepatitis virus-associated hepatocellular carcinogenesis might be clarified to provide insights into the advanced therapeutic and preventive approaches for HCC in Korea, where the majority of HCC originate from chronic HBV and HCV infections.
*Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; *Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/therapy

Primary liver cancer, most of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third common leading cancer in Korea. During the last two decades, the incidence rate of primary liver cancer has shown a modest decrease, but its mortality rate has slightly increased. The incidence of HCC, according to age, peaks in the late sixth decade in men and in the early seventh decade in women. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most important risk factor, which represents approximately 70% of all HCC, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol are the next in order of major risk factors for the development of HCC in Korea. HBV-associated HCC occurs 10 years earlier than HCV-associated HCC due to a more prolonged exposure to HBV, which is vertically transmitted almost from HBsAg-positive mother in HBV-endemic area. National Cancer Control Institute, which was reorganized in 2005, is now working for several national projects such as National Cancer Registration Program, National R&D Program for Cancer Control and National Cancer Screening Program. International collaboration for the clinico-epidemiologic research would be needed to provide the specific measures for managing HCC in diverse etiologic situations. Finally, the mechanisms of hepatitis virus-associated hepatocellular carcinogenesis might be clarified to provide insights into the advanced therapeutic and preventive approaches for HCC in Korea, where the majority of HCC originate from chronic HBV and HCV infections.
*Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; *Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/therapy

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; United States

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; United States

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; United States

From a macro-level analysis of the attributes and pathogenic features of HBV, the main pathogenic factor for chronic liver diseases including viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, the concept of damp-heat insidious pathogen was obtained, according to which, in-depth discussions were undertaken. Adopting syndrome typing of Wei (defense), qi (vital energy), Ying (nutrients), and blood, the pathogens leading to different syndromes as well as new products such as pathological "sputum", "stasis" in the disease process were understood, and then, the pathological "sputum" and "stasis", as the hub, playing a role in chronic lesions of the liver collateral were explained. Finally the pathological "sputum" and "stasis" blend and form cancer toxin. Through a comprehensive understanding of the development of chronic liver diseases, it is clear that damp-heat insidious pathogen, as its initiating factor, always exists in the whole process. We summed up heat clearing, dampness resolving, and detoxification was the principle for treating chronic liver disease.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis