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EDITORS

Masaki Kitajima, M.D., F.A.C.S
Dean of School of Medicine
Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery
Keio University School of Medicine

Yoshihide Otani, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Keio University School of Medicine

FOREWORD

Dear Colleagues,
We are delighted and honored to host the 6th International Gastric Cancer Congress in Yokohama, Japan. Focused on the theme of “Strategies for Gastric Cancer Treatment in the 21st Century: Minimally Invasive and Tailored Approaches-Integration of Basic Science and Clinical Medicine”, the congress promises to be a highly rewarding gathering. With over 800 interesting and varied abstracts submitted for this congress, we believe it proves to be a valuable and enjoyable gathering that contributes significantly to further advances in the field. We look forward to fresh and exciting input from young researchers who join us as well as important contributions from the many more senior experts who attend to this congress.
Since the first congress in Kyoto in 1995, we have seen remarkable progress in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. Our gathering of the world’s experts at this congress to present their findings, which aid humankind by advancing the knowledge of gastric cancer treatment, is the greatest feat we can ever hope to achieve.
Recently, with the spread of such new techniques as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive approaches have become more commonly used for early treatment. Also, progress has been made in treatment of advanced cases, as high response rates are being achieved in chemotherapy development and the benefits of radiotherapy are being re-explored.
Given such progress, my fellow organizers and I are very excited about hearing the many enlightening presentations that all of you have to offer. We are also eager to have young, motivated researchers attend, and thus we have set the registration fee at a reasonable rate.
Turning to our venue, Yokohama is an attractive, cosmopolitan port city. For nearly one hundred and forty years, it has been a key gateway to the rest of the world. As such, it offers a fascinating blend of traditional Japan and international flavor, giving it a robust, rich atmosphere found in few other places. Visitors find its many exotic charms, enduring traditions, and inspiring modern architecture to be irresistible.
We thus enthusiastically invite you to join us in Yokohama in 2005. We are confident that each and every participant has an enjoyable and memorable stay, and return home with a richer, more knowledgeable understanding of not only the growing field of gastric cancer, but also Japan and the Japanese.

Masaki Kitajima, M.D., F.A.C.S.
President
6th International Gastric Cancer Congress
 

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