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Stomach or gastric cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs and the liver. Stomach cancer causes nearly one million deaths worldwide per year.[1]
Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide with 930,000 cases diagnosed in 2002.[2] It is a disease with a high death rate (700,000 per year) making it the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide after lung cancer. It is more common in men.[3]
It represents roughly 2% (25,500 cases) of all new cancer cases yearly in the United States, but it is much more common in Korea, Japan, Great Britain, South America, and Iceland.
Gastric cancer has very high incidence in Korea and Japan. It is the leading cancer type in Korea with 20.8% of malignant neoplasms, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach cancer, with a six month survival rate of 65% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 15% of those diagnosed in late stages.
It is suspected several risk factors are involved including diet, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection. It is associated with high salt in the diet, smoking, and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Infection with the bacterium H. pylori is the main risk factor in about 80% or more of gastric cancers.[citation needed] A Korean diet, high in salted, stewed and broiled foods, is thought to be a contributing factor. Ten percent of cases show a genetic component.[4] In Japan and other countries bracken consumption and spores are correlated to stomach cancer incidence.[5]
Gastric cancer shows a male predominance in its incidence as up to 3 males are affected for every female. Estrogen may protect women against the development of this cancer form.[6] A very small percentage of diffuse-type gastric cancers (see Histopathology below) are thought to be genetic. Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) has recently been identified and research is ongoing. However, genetic testing and treatment options are already available for families at risk.[7]
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