Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Guatemala is within the top twenty countries worldwide for the highest incidence of gastric cancer and is ranked fourth among women. Epidemiologically, there are various social determinants which are correlated with the distribution of gastric cancer, including region, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and level of education. Variables ranging from biological factors like Helicobacter Pylori to non-biological factors like inequities in education, culture, and health system have been attributed to gastric adenocarcinoma pathogenesis in the Guatemalan population. Our objective was to describe the clinical, epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic profile of the patient diagnosed with gastric cancer and to show which variables are significant when approaching public health measures to improve the morbidity and mortality of Guatemalans. METHODS: A descriptive-retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary level hospital in the western region of Guatemala. Medical records from 2011 to 2016 were reviewed. All patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were included. Clinical, epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic data were collected. RESULTS: See Tables 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher incidence of gastric cancer was found in populations with low education level and in females. This may be related to lack of understanding the significance of various gastrointestinal symptoms and inability to have timely access to healthcare. Also various socioeconomic factors and associated personal responsibilities may hinder medical care. In this study 75% of the gastric cancers were diagnosed at stage IV. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of vulnerable, at-risk populations can provide us with better information that will allow us to create policy proposals for sustainable public health prevention and care models to improve existing health resources for gastric cancer control in the country. Further study of disparities would allow for targeted proposals for communities with uneven distribution of healthcare and lower concentration of resources and poverty.Table 1.: Epidemiological CharacteristicsTable 2.: Clinical, Histological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Characteristics
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