Doctors are increasingly identifying stomach tumors at an early stage, which could significantly improve treatment outcomes for a typically deadly cancer. Research presented at Digestive Disease Week indicates advances in gastrointestinal imaging tools have enhanced the detection of small tumors, previously missed until they metastasized. Dr. Mohamed Tausif Siddiqui from the Cleveland Clinic points out that this shift in diagnosis is leading to more early local cancers being found, resulting in better prognoses.
The study analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER-22 database, revealing that early-stage stomach cancer diagnoses rose from 1.94 per 100,000 in 2004 to 2.97 per 100,000 in 2021, while late-stage cases dropped from 2.55 to 2.35 per 100,000 in the same period. However, the American Cancer Society predicts approximately 26,500 new cases and over 10,800 deaths due to stomach cancer in 2025. Notably, more diagnoses are occurring in individuals aged 50 and younger.
The research highlights risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori infections, genetics, smoking, and symptoms like resistant acid reflux, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss. Current screening in the U.S. is limited to symptomatic individuals or those with a family history, by contrast to countries like Japan and South Korea, which have comprehensive screening programs.
Experts, including Dr. Ji Yoon Yoon, regard these findings as a pivotal point in early detection, noting that localized cases now dominate diagnoses. While early-stage cancers often have a five-year survival rate of 77%, ongoing research is essential to fully understand the long-term impacts of earlier detection on survival outcomes.
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