Endoscopy 2022; 54(07): 644-652
DOI: 10.1055/a-1673-1118
Original article

Gastric cancer incidence and mortality trends 2007–2016 in three European countries

Authors

  • Diogo Libânio*

     1   Gastroenterology Department, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
     2   MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Jessica R. Rodrigues*

     3   Cancer Epidemiology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
     4   Centre of Mathematics (CMAT), University of Minho, Portugal
  • Maria J. Bento

     3   Cancer Epidemiology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
     5   Department of Population Studies, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
  • Alanna Ebigbo

     6   (Internal) Medicine III – Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
  • Helmut Messman

     6   (Internal) Medicine III – Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
  • Rob H.A. Verhoeven

     7   Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (IKNL) Utrecht, the Netherlands
     8   Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • Nancy Van Damme

     9   Belgian Cancer Registry, Brussels, Belgium
  • Raf Bisschops

    10   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  • Manon C.W. Spaander**

    11   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • Marío Dinis-Ribeiro**

     1   Gastroenterology Department, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
     2   MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal


Graphical Abstract

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Abstract

Background Increased awareness of gastric cancer risk, easy access to upper endoscopy, and high definition endoscopes with virtual chromoendoscopy may have led to the increase in early diagnosis of gastric cancer observed in recent years in Europe, which may be associated with improved survival. Currently, no data exist on the impact of early diagnosis on survival at a populational level in Europe. Our aim was to assess gastric cancer incidence, early diagnosis, and survival in northwestern and southern European countries with a low-to-moderate incidence of gastric cancer.

Methods Data on 41 138 gastric cancers diagnosed in 2007–2016 were retrieved from national cancer registries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern Portugal. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were assessed and expressed per 100 000 person-years. Early diagnosis was defined as T1 tumors. Net survival estimates for 2007–2011 vs. 2012–2016 were compared.

Results Age-standardized incidence and mortality decreased over time in Belgium, northern Portugal, and the Netherlands (relative incidence decrease 8.6 %, 4.5 %, and 46.8 %, respectively; relative mortality decrease 22.0 %, 30.9 %, and 50.0 %, respectively). Early gastric cancer diagnosis increased over time for all countries. Net 1-year survival improved significantly between the two time periods in all countries, and at 5 years in Belgium and Portugal.

Conclusions This is the first study comparing trends (2007–2016) in gastric cancer incidence and mortality in some European countries. We found an increasing proportion of T1 gastric cancers and a decrease in age-standardized mortality over time, supporting the use of secondary prevention strategies.

* Co-first authors


** Co-Senior authors




Publication History

Received: 06 May 2021

Accepted after revision: 19 October 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 October 2021

Article published online:
16 December 2021

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