Time trend analysis of gastric cancer incidence in Japan by histological types, 1975–1989

Abstract

Since different histological types (HT) of gastric cancer (GC) may differ in their aetiology, time trend analysis by HT may afford an insight into aetiology. From the Gastric Cancer Registry of Japan, 161 067 cases diagnosed were retrieved between 1975 and 1989 to calculate the annual relative frequencies, stratified by age group and sex, of HT according to the Lauren and the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer (JRSGC) classifications. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates by HT were estimated by multiplying the corresponding national cancer incidence rates of GC by the relative frequencies. Logistic regression models stratified by sex and age group were fitted to determine the time trends of HT. Using the Lauren classification, a decreasing trend of the intestinal type and a stable trend of the diffuse type were found. By the JRSGC classification, significant decreasing trends for most age groups were found for papillary and mucinous adenocarcinomas. Tubular adenocarcinomas (well differentiated type) showed a decreasing trend only in younger age groups. Tubular (moderately differentiated type), poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, and signet ring cell carcinoma were statistically stable during the period. Considering changes in lifestyles of the Japanese, the result suggests that there are three aetiological types of GC. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Patho-epidemiological Features of Esophageal and Gastric Cancers in an Endemic Region: a 20-year Retrospective Study

“…Also, we found an increase in proportion of diffuse type during the term of study which wasn't applicable to signet ring type. In other words, rising in proportion of diffuse type was not due to an increase in contrast to some studies but similar to some reports (Kaneko and Yoshimura, 2001;Henson et al, 2004).…”

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene polymorphisms are associated with a multiple family history of gastric cancer

“…There are controversial findings, however, that MMP9 279QQ is negatively associated with the risk of lymph node metastasis of the diffuse type of GC [38], which might be caused by the difference between the type of GC (diffuse and intestinal) [38]. Although we do not have information of the GC type in the family members, intestinal type is more frequent than diffuse type in Japan [41]. To date, no study has focused on the association between MMP9 R279Q polymorphism and a family history of GC, and the exact biological mechanism in relation to this association remains to be revealed.…”

Incidence and mortality from stomach cancer in Japan, Slovenia and the USA

“…26,27 The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Japan has been declining in successive birth cohorts. 28 -30 A recent study suggests that the declines in gastric cancer incidence in young subjects in Japan involves the intestinal (rather than the diffuse) type of carcinomas, 31 which would be consistent with the greater risk for this subtype conferred by H. pylori infection. 26,32 These changes are often attributed to the generalization of a western style of life in Japan just after World War II in Japan, under American influence.…”