Changing Trends in Stomach Cancer Throughout the World

Abstract

Despite a significant worldwide decline, gastric cancer remains a common cause of cancer death. The decline has been multifactorial and preceded the fall in Helicobacter pylori prevalence. The initial decline was associated with changes in food preservation and availability, especially of fresh fruits and vegetables, followed by a decline in the primary etiologic factor, H. pylori. Gastric cancer incidence remains high in East Asia, intermediate in Latin America, and low in developed countries. Significant racial/ethnic variability exists. The rapid decline in incidence in East Asia will continue as primary and secondary prevention strategies are implemented. The incidence in Latin America is unlikely to decline significantly over the next few decades given high H. pylori prevalence in the young. Ultimately, global H. pylori eradication will be needed to largely eliminate gastric cancer.

Subtraction of Epstein–Barr virus and microsatellite instability genotypes from the Lauren histotypes: Combined molecular and histologic subtyping with clinicopathological and prognostic significance validated in a cohort of 1,248 cases

“…Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the major health care burdens and is the 5th most common cancer and the 3rd leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide despite a steady decline in the last few decades . The incidence of GC varies significantly among geographic regions and is highest in Eastern Asia, Latin America and Central/Eastern Europe, which is presumbly related to ethnic or environmental factors that play important roles in gastric carcinogenesis, such as Helicobacter pylori infection, high intake of salty, smoked, pickled foods and cigarette smoking, among other factors . Due to a high rate of inoperable disease at initial diagnosis and frequent recurrence within post‐operative 5 years, GC still constitutes clinical challenges despite the introduction of combination chemotherapy and several targeted agents, such as trastuzumab and ramucirumab …”

New observations regarding Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer in Mongolia

“…10,11 Globally, there has been a trend for gastric cancer to decrease in part related to the fall in H. pylori prevalence as well as changes in food preservation and year around availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. 12,13 Proximal cancer which overlaps with esophageal adenocarcinoma has been noted to have increased in western, [14][15][16][17][18] and some East Asian countries 19,20 are typically associated with non-atrophic gastric mucosa and absence of H. pylori.…”

Helicobacter pylori infection leads to KLF4 inactivation in gastric cancer through a TET1‐mediated DNA methylation mechanism

“…Gastric cancer (GC) originates from the gastric mucosal epithelium, is a common malignant tumor, and has a mortality rate that is ranked second for tumor‐related diseases . Surgery is currently the most effective treatment for GC, but targeted therapy is still the main treatment for patients who cannot tolerate surgery or for patients with recurrence after surgery .…”