Epidemiology of gastric cancer

Abstract

Gastric cancer remains a common cause of cancer mortality throughout the world, with great geographic variability in its distribution. Due to the absence of specific symptoms, it is usually diagnosed in advanced stages in most countries, where there are no early detection programs. Up to 60% of patients are diagnosed in advanced stages. Furthermore, the natural history of the tumor is spread to the peritoneum, liver, and lung. The peritoneal spread of gastric cancer is favored by a number of factors specific to the tumor, the patient, or secondary to primary resection surgery. Among tumor-specific factors, genetic alterations have been described to favor the growth of cells detached from the tumor in the peritoneum. An early diagnosis of the disease is essential for a better treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin. Computed tomography and laparoscopy are the mainstays of diagnosis. Once the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis has been established, we have several treatment options that include chemotherapy and surgical treatment, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy.