Assessment and management of oesophago-gastric cancer: summary of NICE guidance

### What you need to know Oesophago-gastric cancer is the fourth commonest cause of cancer death in the UK, with 16 000 new cases each year, and its incidence is rising.1 Those affected by the disease often undergo a complex investigative pathway as a prelude to a variety of treatments with wide ranging short term and long term effects that require continued support throughout the initial period of care and beyond. Radical treatments for oesophago-gastric cancer are carried out in specialist centres where there will be access to a range of specialist healthcare professionals, but people with oesophago-gastric cancer will also require input from primary care. People whose cancer is suitable for palliative management will also benefit from the support of professionals from various disciplines, such as cancer care dietitians and palliative care professionals. This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on diagnosis and management of oesophago-gastric cancer.2 The guidance was developed with the aim of improving and standardising care in all disciplines that treat people with oesophago-gastric cancer, including specialist centres, but some of the recommendations will affect non-specialist services too, and these are highlighted and summarised below. NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal …