From Gastritis to Gastric Cancer: Challenges in Diagnosis and Long-Term Management

Dear Colleagues,

Gastric cancer remains a major global health challenge, shaped by a dynamic interplay of environmental exposures, chronic inflammation, host genetics, and molecular evolution. The management of gastric cancer is undergoing a notable transformation, driven by improvements in endoscopic detection, targeted eradication of H. pylori, routine biomarker assessment, increasingly individualized perioperative therapy, and structured long-term follow-up.

Emerging indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), modern perioperative regimens integrating immunotherapy, CLDN18.2-targeted treatments, and advanced strategies for managing peritoneal disease illustrate how rapidly this field is evolving.

We are pleased to invite submissions that address the full continuum from gastritis to advanced gastric cancer, with particular focus on innovations that improve staging accuracy, personalize treatment, and refine long-term outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to present contemporary research and expert perspectives on the biological, clinical, and procedural complexity of gastric cancer. We welcome contributions that align with the journal’s focus on translational and clinical innovation, including the following:

• Progress in risk stratification and early detection;
• Novel endoscopic, radiologic, surgical, and systemic approaches;
• Optimization of perioperative pathways, including immunotherapy;
• Integration of molecular diagnostics into routine care;
• Survivorship, nutritional management, and recurrence prevention.

The scope bridges basic mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis with real-world clinical decision-making, ensuring that contributions remain relevant across disciplines.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Early Gastric Cancer and Prevention

• Updated indications for ESD/EMR and endoscopic staging techniques; 
• Optimizing H. pylori detection and eradication strategies;
• Gastritis–metaplasia–dysplasia progression models;
• Role of AI-assisted endoscopy.

Molecular Profiling and Precision Oncology

• Universal biomarker testing: MSI/MMR, PD-L1, HER2, CLDN18.2, NTRK fusions; 
• Liquid biopsy and ctDNA for monitoring minimal residual disease;
• Molecular subtypes and therapeutic implications.

Multimodal Treatment Pathways

• Immunotherapy for MSI-H/dMMR disease in neoadjuvant settings;
• Sentinel node navigation and minimally invasive surgery.

Complex and Advanced Disease

• Modern management of peritoneal metastasis (PCI thresholds, CRS/HIPEC decision-making); 
• Palliation, patient-centered outcomes, and quality of life;
• Management of complications after gastrectomy;

Survivorship and Long-Term Management

• Evidence-based surveillance strategies (CT, EGD sequencing); 
• Nutritional care after gastrectomy and micronutrient monitoring; 
• Late recurrence patterns and long-term metabolic sequelae;
• Integrating digital health and remote monitoring.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Zuzanna Pelc
Prof. Dr. Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• gastric cancer
• gastritis and H. pylori
• early detection and endoscopy
• multimodal treatment
• molecular profiling (MSI/MMR, PD-L1, CLDN18.2, HER2)