Table 1. Treated patient characteristics.

	N=40	%
Sex: male/female	28/12	70/30
Median age (range)	58.0 (36–74)	—
Median weight loss during last 3 months (range)	5% (0.0–16.0)	—
Performance status (0–1–2)	13–23–4	33/58/10
Gastric adenocarcinoma	39	97.5
Undifferentiated	21	52.5
Well differentiated	17	42.5
Not available	2	5.0
Status
Metastatic with primary tumour	25	62.5
Metastatic without primary tumour	15	37.5
Number of organs involved
1–2	34	85.0
⩾3	6	15.0
Sites of disease
Lymph nodes	24	60.0
Liver	22	55.0
Lung	8	20.0
Others	14	35.0
Previous treatment
Prior radiotherapy (yes/no)	1/39	2.5/97.5
Prior surgery (yes/no)	22/18	55.0/45.0
Intent of surgery (curative/palliative)	8/14	20.0/35.0
Median time (months) between surgery and study entry	4.0 (0.3–65.1)
Signs and symptoms
No symptom at baseline	10	25.0
Symptoms at baseline	30	75.0
At least one tumour-related symptom	28	70.0