Intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer: secular trends in Sweden since 1951
1991

Trends in Gastric Cancer Types in Sweden

Sample size: 427 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): G. Lundegardh, A. Lindgren, A. Rohul, O. Nyren, L.-E. Hansson, R. Bergstrom, H.-O. Adamil

Primary Institution: University Hospital, Uppsala

Hypothesis

The general decline in gastric cancer is due to a selective decline in Lauren's intestinal type.

Conclusion

The study found no significant trend in the relative proportions of intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer over time.

Supporting Evidence

  • The intestinal type was significantly more common among elderly people than in younger age groups.
  • The relative proportions of intestinal type carcinoma in the four periods were 65%, 55%, 42%, and 60%.
  • There was no discernible trend over time in the proportions of gastric cancer types.
  • The mean age at diagnosis increased by 6 years from 1951 to 1981.
  • Statistical analysis showed no significant trends in the data.

Takeaway

Doctors looked at old cancer samples to see if one type of stomach cancer was getting less common over time, but they found that both types stayed about the same.

Methodology

Histologic sections from gastric carcinomas diagnosed in 1951, 1961, 1971-72, and 1981 were reviewed and classified into intestinal and diffuse types.

Potential Biases

Potential misclassification and observer bias were addressed by blind re-examination of histologic sections.

Limitations

The study may not represent true population-based incidence rates due to varying rates of histopathological verification.

Participant Demographics

262 men and 165 women, mean age 67.3 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.64

Confidence Interval

95% confidence limits 52-64%

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

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