American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the goal of treatment for patients with stage IV gastroesophageal cancer?

1. Cure the disease completely

2. Palliative care

3. Prevent recurrence

4. Achieve remission

The correct answer is: Palliative care

For patients with stage IV gastroesophageal cancer, the primary goal of treatment is palliative care. Stage IV indicates advanced disease that has typically metastasized beyond the primary site, making curative treatment options unrealistic. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients by alleviating symptoms, managing pain, and addressing psychosocial issues. This approach aims to provide comfort and support, rather than attempting to eradicate the disease. While options such as curing the disease, preventing recurrence, and achieving remission may be applicable to earlier stages of cancer, they are not feasible or realistic goals in stage IV cases. Instead, medical management at this stage often involves strategies such as systemic therapies, supportive care, and possibly targeted treatments aimed at symptom relief. Therefore, understanding that palliative care is the central focus of treatment in advanced disease stages underscores the importance of managing quality of life alongside disease progression.