Trends in incidence, management, and survival of gastric and cardia carcinomas in the area of Finistere (France) between 1984 and 2003

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in incidence and prognosis of gastric and cardia carcinomas in the area of Finistere (France) between 1984 and 2003. Methods The Digestive Tumor Registry of Finistere recorded all new cases of gastric and cardia carcinomas from January 1, 1984 to December 31, 2003. Raw incidence data were standardized using the direct method based on the reference world population. The data and survival rates were studied in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Between 1984-1988 and 1999-2003 the standardized incidence of distal gastric carcinomas decreased (10.74 +/- 0.39-5.68 +/- 0.27/year/100 000 inhabitants, P<0.001). There was no significant increase in the incidence of cardia carcinomas (0.83 +/- 0.11-1.25 +/- 0.14/year/100 000 inhabitants). The frequency of macroscopically infiltrating tumors doubled (P<0.001) and linitis plastica increased from 9 to 16.2% (P<0.001). Overall survival rates increased only for patients with metastatic carcinomas of both locations (P<0.001) and with advanced tumors of distal stomach (P<0.001) receiving therapy. Conclusion This study showed a significant decrease over time in the incidence of distal gastric carcinomas but no significant increase in the incidence of cardia carcinomas. Despite improvement in the management of patients, prognosis remains dismal, probably because of an increased incidence of poor prognosis of histological and anatomical types. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 22:1412-1419 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.