EPIDEMIOLOGÍA DEL CÁNCER DE ESTÓMAGO EN UN CENTRO DE REFERENCIA DEL ECUADOR.

Abstract

IntroductionGastric cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Ecuador. Despite advances in diagnostic methods and cancer therapies, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease with poor prognosis and high mortality. The objective of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics in patients treated with gastric cancer at a reference center in Ecuador.Patients and methodsIt was a cross-sectional retrospective study, patients were eligible in the Oncology Service of the Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo (HEEE) between March 2012 and March 2017. data were collected from medical records.Resultsduring the study period 159 patients were evaluated, the median age was 61 years and 52.80% were male. The most common symptom of diagnosis was abdominal pain in 59% of cases. The stage of the disease in 72% of patients was regionally advanced and widespread. Those patients who underwent surgery; presented more survival. Conclusions 50% of cases were diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease and were associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of this first study carried out in the HEEE, will allow to establish measures to improve the screening and early diagnosis of patients.