Gastric Cancer: A Growing Concern in Western Iran

Gastric cancer is a major public health issue worldwide, and its prevalence in Western Iran is no exception. A recent study investigated the epidemiological profile of gastric cancer among patients referred to a gastroenterology clinic in the region.

The study reviewed the medical records of 193 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers out of 6223 total endoscopic/colonoscopic procedures performed between 2009 and 2019. The results showed that gastric cancer accounted for 48.2% of all identified GI cancer cases, with a mean age of 67.3 years and a high frequency observed in the 70-79-year age group.

Men were more likely to be affected, making up 64.5% of cases, and most patients lived in urban areas. The most common symptoms were epigastric pain and weight loss, followed by loss of appetite and dysphagia. Tumors were most frequently located in the cardia, followed by the body, antrum, and pylorus. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type, with poorly differentiated tumors accounting for 47.2% of cases.

The study found that 24.7% of patients reported smoking, 14% had a family history of gastric cancer, and 58.1% reported no identifiable risk factors. The results highlight the need for comprehensive longitudinal studies to evaluate specific behavioral and environmental risk factors within this population.