Risk Factors and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Pakistan.

Muhammad Daniyal,Saeed Ahmad,Sabira Sultana,Mukhtiar Ahmad,Muhammad Akram,Saif Ur Rehman,Hafiz Muhammad Asif

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.12.4821

Abstract

Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of death among all cancers and is the 4th most common cancer in the world. The number of deaths due to gastric cancer is about 800,000 annually. Gastric cancer is more common in men as compared to women and is 3rd most common cancer after colorectal and breast cancers in women. A progressive rise in the incidence rate has been observed in females over the last 5 years. The highest incidence of stomach cancer is in China, South America and Eastern Europe. The incidence of gastric cancer has 20 fold variation worldwide. Global variation is linked by two factors which play important role in developing gastric cancer. One is infection with Helicobacter pylori and the 2nd is diet. South Asia is a region with low risk, despite a high prevalence of H.pylori. Gastric carcinoma is common in southern region of India. Gastric cancer is more readily treated if diagnosed early. This study aims to provide awareness about gastric cancer as well as an updated knowledge about risk factors and epidemiology of gastric cancer in Pakistan.

Highlights

Carcinoma of the stomach is 2nd most common cancer in the world
This study aims to provide awareness about gastric cancer as well as an updated knowledge about risk factors and epidemiology of gastric cancer in Pakistan
Ahmed et al reported that H. pylori is risk factor of gastric cancer in Pakistan

Summary

Introduction

Carcinoma of the stomach is 2nd most common cancer in the world. According to Scandinavian study weight loss, epigastric pain (63.3%) and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (27.3%) were the important symptoms (Iqbal et al, 2005). The gastric carcinoma in distal part of the stomach is more common but can occur in any part of the stomach. 37% of the gastric carcinoma in US originates from upper third of the stomach and 20% originate from middle third and 30% in the lower third and 12% involves the entire stomach, but the distal tumors have 5 years survival rate of nearly 20 to 25% after surgery (Durrani et al, 2009). In Europe and United States, many patients with gastric cancer are diagnosed at later stages when metastasis occurs. Sign and symptoms are usually weight loss, anorexia and epigastric pain. Dysphagia is observed in patients with cancer of esophagogastric junction

Risk factors

Worldwide prevalence

Prevalence in Pakistan

Findings

Conclusion and Future Prospects