PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the primary treatment for gastric cancer?

1. Palliative care

2. Surgical resection with wide margins

3. Chemotherapy

4. Radiation therapy

The correct answer is: Surgical resection with wide margins

Surgical resection with wide margins is the primary treatment for gastric cancer when it is diagnosed at a localized stage and is resectable. This approach aims to remove the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure that no cancerous cells remain in the surrounding area, which is crucial for reducing the risk of recurrence. In cases where the cancer is detected early enough, surgical intervention can significantly improve survival rates and provide the best chance for a cure. It is often complemented by adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation, to target any residual disease and manage metastasis, but the cornerstone of initial management remains surgical resection. Palliative care, while important in the management of advanced gastric cancer, typically focuses on symptom relief rather than curative intent. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be indicated as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies, but they are not considered primary treatments in cases where surgery can be successfully performed.