Epidemiology of stomach cancer

Abstract

Despite a decline in incidence and mortality during the last decades, stomach cancer is one of the main health challenges worldwide. According to the GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates, stomach cancer caused approximately 800000 deaths (accounting for 7.7% of all cancer deaths), and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in both genders combined. About 1.1 million new cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed in 2020 (accounting for 5.6% of all cancer cases). About 75% of all new cases and all deaths from stomach cancer are reported in Asia. Stomach cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors, with a five-year survival rate of around 20%. There are some well-established risk factors for stomach cancer: Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary factors, tobacco, obesity, and radiation. To date, the most important way of preventing stomach cancer is reduced exposure to risk factors, as well as screening and early detection. Further research on risk factors can help identify various opportunities for more effective prevention. Screening programs for stomach cancer have been implemented in a few countries, either as a national or opportunistic screening of high-risk individuals only. Generally, due to its high aggressiveness and heterogeneity, stomach cancer still remains a severe global health problem.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Incidence; Mortality; Predictive factors; Prevention; Stomach cancer; Survival.

Figure 1

Stomach cancer incidence and mortality, by regions. A: Stomach cancer incidence and mortality; B: Stomach cancer incidence in men and women; C: Stomach cancer mortality in men and women. GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates[2]: Age Standardized Rate (using World standard population, per 100000).

Figure 2

Stomach cancer incidence and mortality, by countries. A: Stomach cancer incidence in men; B: Stomach cancer incidence in women; C: Stomach cancer mortality in men; D: Stomach cancer mortality in women. GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates[2]. ¹Country with the lowest rates; ²Country with the highest rates.

Figure 4

Stomach cancer incidence and mortality trends by age and sex. A: Stomach cancer incidence trends by age and sex in selected countries in 2012; B: Stomach cancer mortality trends by age and sex in selected countries in 2016. GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates[2].

Figure 3

Stomach cancer incidence and mortality trends. A: Stomach cancer incidence trends among men in selected countries; B: Stomach cancer incidence trends among women in selected countries; C: Stomach cancer mortality trends among men in selected countries; D: Stomach cancer mortality trends among women in selected countries. GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates[2]. Age Standardized Rate (using World standard population, per 100000).