Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Korea: Trends in Incidence and Survival Based on Korea Central Cancer Registry Data (1999-2019)

Abstract

This study investigated the trends of gastric cancer in Korea by adding the latest updated gastric cancer data from 2019. Gastric cancer incidence between 1999 and 2019 was reviewed using data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry. The study period was divided into 3 periods: period I (1999-2005), period II (2006-2012), and period III (2013-2019). The incidence, mortality, tumor location, histology, stage, and treatment were analyzed. Between 1999 and 2019, 577,502 patients were newly diagnosed with gastric cancer in Korea, accounting for 33.2% of patients aged ≥70 years. The age-standardized incidence rate (per 100,000) significantly decreased from 2011 (43.0) to 2019 (29.6), with an annual percent change of -4.50. Additionally, the age-standardized mortality rate (per 100,000) markedly decreased from 1999 (23.9) to 2019 (6.7). The proportions of patients with cardia and fundus cancers remained consistent. The proportion of localized stage cases increased, while those of regional and distant stages decreased. The rate of surgical treatment increased in localized and regional stages from 2006 to 2019. The overall 5-year relative survival (5YRS) rate of gastric cancer (per 100,000) increased from 55.7% in period I to 77.0% in period III. From 2013 to 2019, the 5YRS rates of patients (per 100,000) who underwent surgical treatment were 100.6% and 70.5% in the localized and regional stages, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated several changes in the epidemiology of gastric cancer in Korea. This study provides information to help understand the current trends in gastric cancer in Korea.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Gastric cancer; Incidence; Survival rate.

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Copyright © 2022. Korean Gastric Cancer Association.

Figures

Fig. 1. Incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer, 1999–2019.

(A) Crude rate and (B) Age-standardized rate.

Fig. 2. Incidence rates of gastric cancer by age groups.

Fig. 3. Incidence of gastric cancer by region in 2019.

(A) Cases, (B) Crude rate, and (C) Age-standardized rate.

Fig. 4. First course of treatment according to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results stage.

(A) Localized, (B) Regional, and (C) Distant. The surgical treatment group included surgery and endoscopic resection.

Fig. 5. Overall 5-year relative survival rates.

(A) According to the SEER stage and (B) According to the SEER stage and first course of treatment. The surgical treatment group included surgery and endoscopic resection. SEER = Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results.