Gastric cancer burden: Evidence from a safety-net hospital.

Abstract

187 Background: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with more than eleven thousand estimated gastric cancer deaths expected to occur this 2020 in the United States (US). Understanding the burden and trends in gastric cancer across demographics and different locations in the US is crucial to develop effective preventive strategies. This study describes, characterizes, and identifies high risk group gastric cancer patients, who may benefit the most from preventive and management strategies. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 2010 to 2019 at our institution to identify patients diagnosed with gastric cancer during that period. Data on demographics, risk factors, mode of presentation, pathology, site, type, and stage of gastric cancer were obtained. Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables. Regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with late-stage disease and cancer type. Results: A total of 111 patients were analyzed in this study. The median age of gastric cancer patients was 52 years (range 27 to 87 years). Most of the patients were Hispanic (70.3%), non-citizens (59.5%), were uninsured (69.4%), and 67.6% were living below the federal poverty level (FPL). Also, 31.5% of the patients had a family history of cancer, had diffuse-type adenocarcinoma (61%), late-stage disease (76.6%), 52.4% of the cancers were in the distal portion of the stomach. Uninsured patients were more likely to die compared to insured patients, however, this difference was not statistically significant (64.9% vs 47.1%, p = 0.077). Age below 40, Hispanic ethnicity, being uninsured, and living below FPL were associated with higher rates of late-stage disease and diffuse-type cancer (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data suggest a younger age at gastric cancer diagnosis than the national average. Moreover young, and uninsured Hispanics presented with advanced gastric cancer and may represent a high-risk target population for preventive strategies.