Differences in the patterns of presentation and treatment between proximal and distal gastric cancers

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4022 Background: While the overall incidence of gastric cancer has declined in the United States, the incidence of proximal gastric cancers has increased. Understanding the differences between proximal and distal gastric cancer, may enable us to identify important risk factors and treatment patterns. Methods: Data on 6099 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma were collected as a Patient Care Evaluation under the auspices of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Clearly defined proximal and distal cancers were compared using the Pearson chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: The proximal cancer group included 1924 patients (87% cardia; 13% fundus) and the distal cancer group included 1312 patients (85% antrum; 15% pylorus). Proximal gastric cancers occurred more often in men (p<0.0001), whites (compared to Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian races) (p<0.0001), and at younger age (p<0.0001) compared to distal cancers. Risk factors for proximal presentation included tobacco use (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.9, p= 0.002) alchohol use (HR 1.5, p= 0.038) and Barretts (HR 2.7, p<0.0001). Risk factors for distal presentation included H. Pylori (HR 2.3, p= 0.001). Despite increased use of multi-modality therapy, fewer proximal gastric cancers underwent resection compared to distal cancers (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Different risk factors can be identified for proximal and distal gastric cancers, which can impact on risk reduction, screening efforts and help define the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. While proximal cancer patients receive more aggressive multimodality treatments, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy, fewer undergo surgical resection. Long term survival based upon proximal and distal tumor differences will be explored when follow-up data become available.Key Words: gastric adenocarcinoma, proximal gastric cancer, distal gastric cancer, risk factors, treatment. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.