Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Historical introduction
- PART I Epidemiological methods
- PART II Causative factors in human cancer
- PART III Legal and ethical considerations
- PART IV Introduction: total and specific site epidemiology
- PART V Buccal cavity
- PART VI Digestive system
- 25 Esophagus
- 26 Stomach
- 27 Small intestine
- 28 Large intestine: colon and rectum
- 29 Liver
- 30 Gall bladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts
- 31 Pancreas
- PART VII Respiratory system
- PART VIII Bone and soft tissue
- PART IX Skin
- PART X Breast and genitourinary system
- PART XI Eye and nervous system
- PART XII Thyroid and other endocrine glands, lymphoid and hematopoietic system
- PART XIII Cancers in children and multiple primary cancers
- Conclusions
- Appendix 1 Cancer statistics
- Appendix 2 A glossary of epidemiological terms
- Appendix 3 Acronyms and abbreviations
- Supplement
- Index
26 - Stomach
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Historical introduction
- PART I Epidemiological methods
- PART II Causative factors in human cancer
- PART III Legal and ethical considerations
- PART IV Introduction: total and specific site epidemiology
- PART V Buccal cavity
- PART VI Digestive system
- 25 Esophagus
- 26 Stomach
- 27 Small intestine
- 28 Large intestine: colon and rectum
- 29 Liver
- 30 Gall bladder and extrahepatic biliary ducts
- 31 Pancreas
- PART VII Respiratory system
- PART VIII Bone and soft tissue
- PART IX Skin
- PART X Breast and genitourinary system
- PART XI Eye and nervous system
- PART XII Thyroid and other endocrine glands, lymphoid and hematopoietic system
- PART XIII Cancers in children and multiple primary cancers
- Conclusions
- Appendix 1 Cancer statistics
- Appendix 2 A glossary of epidemiological terms
- Appendix 3 Acronyms and abbreviations
- Supplement
- Index
Summary
Introduction
Large differences in incidence exist worldwide. Although stomach cancer rates have been steadily decreasing in most populations over the last 4–5 decades, none the less, it still remains the most frequent cancer in the world (Parkin et al., 1988). Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain this general decline, but the causes remain essentially unknown.
Histology, classification and diagnosis
Two main histological types of stomach cancer, which differ not only in morphology but also in their epidemiological characteristics, have been described (Lauren, 1965). The intestinal or expanding adenocarcinoma is characterized by the tendency to form glandular structures resembling the colonic mucosa and has often, grossly, apolypoid appearance. It is more prevalent in males and older age groups. The diffuse or infiltrative type of adenocarcinoma is characterized by lack of cellular cohesiveness and diffuse infiltration of the gastric wall. It is equally frequent in males and females. It is relatively more frequent in younger age-groups, and has a worse prognosis than the intestinal type.
In populations with high or intermediate rates, the intestinal type of cancer predominates, but the diffuse type is more common in populations with low rates (Muñoz, 1988).
The following precursor lesions have been postulated for the intestinal type but none is recognized for the diffuse type.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Human CancerEpidemiology and Environmental Causes, pp. 273 - 282Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1992
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