The Incidence-Based Mortality and Survival Trends in Patients with Gastric Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background and Aim. Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) is a distinct subtype of gastric cancer. This study aims to analyze the incidence-based mortality and survival trends in patients with gastric SRC over the past decades. Materials and Methods. The patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were recruited to explore the incidence-based mortality and survival trends from 2000 to 2017. We further analyzed the differences in mortality and survival trends in these patients by sex and stage. We also used joinpoint software to evaluate the trends in annual percentage change (APC) for statistical significance. Results. 14916 patients were collected, including 7801 (52.3%) male and 7115 (47.7%) female. We identified a single joinpoint at 2002. The overall incidence-based mortality of gastric SRC declined in America after 2002 (APC = −1.21, P < 0.05 ). In stratified analysis by sex and stage, the incidence-based mortality rate was higher in males than females. After 2002, the mortality rate decreased significantly in male (APC = −1.68, P < 0.05 ) and M0-stage patients (APC = −1.75, P < 0.05 ). In survival trend analysis, the 2-year relative survival improved in M0-stage gastric SRC, especially for males (APC = 1.14, P < 0.05 ). As for M1-stage patients, the 2-year relative survival significantly elevated in both male (APC = 3.87, P < 0.05 ) and female (APC = 5.63, P < 0.05 ) patients. Conclusions. The incidence-based mortality of gastric SRC has declined, and survival has improved in America over time. These optimistic trends may be attributed to cancer screening implementation and advances in novel treatments in the past decades.