Multi-hospital retrospective study comparing gastric adenocarcinoma in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients.

Abstract

e16027 Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the United States and carries a particularly high rate of mortality. In the United States, the overall gastric cancer rate continues to decline amongst Caucasian and African American patients; however, it remains static amongst Hispanic patients. While numerous studies have been conducted to better understand the underlying causes leading to the disproportionate incidence of gastric cancer among Hispanics, it is still not well understood. This retrospective study sought to compare the clinicopathological features and overall survival of Hispanic patients with gastric adenocarcinoma with non-Hispanic patients treated in three safety-net county hospitals in Southern California. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 123 patients with newly diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma who were treated at three safety-net county hospitals in Southern California between 2010 and 2022. The subjects were categorized as Hispanic and non-Hispanic. Clinical, pathological, and survival data were obtained from the patient chart and compared. Results: Of the 123 patients included in the study, 87 (71%) were Hispanic. At time of diagnosis, Hispanic patients were found to be significantly younger than non-Hispanics (55.4 +/- 13.5 vs 60.8 +/- 12.2, p-value 0.03). They were also more likely to be misdiagnosed (defined as greater than one prior encounter of misdiagnosis within six months) relative to non-Hispanics (26% vs 14%, p-value 0.007) despite no differences in insurance/PCP status. Hispanic patients were more likely to present with metastatic disease (65% vs 30%, p-value <0.001), and were found to have a higher rate of peritoneal carcinomatosis (30% vs 8%, p-value 0.01). Hispanics were also more likely to present with disease in the gastric antrum (47% vs 19%, p-value 0.004) and have a higher rate of diffuse subtype histology (32% vs 22%, p-value 0.05). Similar rates of Helicobacter pylori infection were found within the tissue biopsy sample using Warthin Starry stain amongst Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients (17% vs 17%). Lastly, the mortality rate was higher in Hispanics relative to non-Hispanics at time of last contact (65% vs 35%, p-value <0.001). Conclusions: Upon comparing clinicopathological features and mortality among gastric cancer patients who were treated in multiple safety net county hospitals, there were significant differences noticed in Hispanic American patients. Relative to non-Hispanics, Hispanic patients were more likely to be misdiagnosed, more likely to present with metastatic disease, and have higher rates of mortality despite no disparities in insurance and PCP status. Further investigation is warranted regarding possible risk factors including exposures to possible environmental triggers or if there is a genetic predisposition in Hispanic populations.