Gastric Cancer: Descriptive Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Screening, and Prevention

Abstract

Less than a century ago, gastric cancer (GC) was the most common cancer in the United States and perhaps throughout the world. Despite its worldwide decline in incidence over the past century, GC remains a major killer across the globe. This article reviews the epidemiology, screening, and prevention of gastric cancer. We first discuss the descriptive epidemiology of GC, including its incidence, survival, and mortality, including trends over time. Next, we characterize the risk factors for gastric cancer, both environmental and genetic. Serological markers and histological precursor lesions of GC and early detection of GC of using these markers is reviewed. Finally, we discuss prevention strategies and provide suggestions for further research.

Distribution of gastric carcinoma in an area with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori

“…The study did not show a significant distribution in the elderly population as our patients with GC had a median age of 55 years. This is different from GC prevalence in other populations where GC is usually observed in patients 70 and older (16). Among the risk factors for GC, the H. pylori infection factor did not vary in the different age groups nor demonstrated a sex distribution ( Table 2).…”

DDAH1 mediates gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway

“…However, the majority of patients with GC are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage leading to poor clinical outcomes (Hohenberger and Gretschel, 2003). Despite the rapid therapeutic advances, the 5‐year survival rate of GC is still low (Karimi et al ., 2014; Sehdev and Catenacci, 2013). Therefore, identification and better understanding of novel biomolecules and signaling pathways involved in the gastric carcinogenesis and progression remain of great importance.…”

Portuguese Version of the EORTC QLQ-OES18 and QLQ-OG25 for Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment

“…Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death [1][2][3] and in Portugal represents about a tenth of all cancer-related mortality, with almost twice the average mortality of European Union countries and the highest among all Western European countries. 2,4 Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. 1,5 Although GC incidence and mortality rates have been reported to be declining, the number of cases is expected to increase, due to an aging population.…”

“…1,5 Although GC incidence and mortality rates have been reported to be declining, the number of cases is expected to increase, due to an aging population. 2,3 Also, EC incidence is overall expected to rise over the next 10 years, mainly due to a rapid increase in distal esophageal adenocarcinoma, even if squamous cell carcinoma remains the most common histological type. 6,7 However, the diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage, as a result of the late appearance and/or nonspecificity of symptoms.…”