Anatomical distribution and demographic data of gastric cancer in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: The global incidence of gastric cancer (GC) has been decreased dramatically in recent decades and characteristics of this cancer has been changed. Most of these changes can be resulted from changes in dietary and nutritional habits. This cancer is the most common cancer in north and northeast of Iran. In present report we will briefly summaries the gastric tumor location in a population from north east of Iran. Methods: We have evaluated the stomach tumors location according to patient’s gender and age. Among 212 Iranian patients who were lived in Mashhad, Iran, the cardia was the most common involved anatomic location. There wasn’t any significant relation between patient gender and tumor location as well as patient age and tumor location. Results: According to our results, the incidence of gastric cancer in patients who are aged between 60 to 69 years is decreasing in our population while the most common anatomic site of tumor remains the same. Conclusion: By knowing the most prevalent tumor site and related risk factors, more precise diagnostic and preventing programs can be established. Increasing global awareness about the risk factors of GC seems to be the main reason and efforts should be made to speed up this issue.