Prevalence of Stomach Cancer in Isfahan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Due to nonspecific early symptoms, there is significant discrepancy related to the incidence of gastric cancer around the world. The aim of this study was to provide data related to period prevalence (PP) and incidence (Irs) of stomach cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Pateints and Methods: Information related to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results; (SEER) was collected from the Isfahan Cancer Registry. Period prevalence (PP) was calculated per 100000 persons. The cancer sites studied were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-O; Third Edition) and recorded by topography code (C16).

RESULTS: Among all registered stomach cancers, there were 2039 cases of gastric cancer including 68% males. The mean age of patients was 66.1 ± 14.8 years. Age reported stomach cancer was less than 50 years in 13%. With a total PP of 40.9, this value was 2 times higher in males when compared to females (54.5 Vs 26.8; p<0.05). Incidences were with values of: 9.9 (2011-2012), 10.6 (2012-2013), 10.3 (2013-2014) and 10 (2014-2015) per 100 000 persons, respectively. There were 45% reported death among total population.

CONCLUSION: The PP for stomach cancer in male population was approximately 2 times higher than females. There was an increase in the Irs over the study period. To facilitate early diagnosis for better management associated to pharmacotherapy or surgical care, our findings emphasized that health-care plans should focus on greater effort toward genetic and environmental factors in Isfahan Province/Iran.