Early detection of gastric cancer

BMJ. 1990 Sep 15;301(6751):513-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6751.513.

Abstract

Objective: To see whether investigation of dyspeptic patients aged over 40 after their first consultation with the general practitioner would increase the proportions with early and operable gastric cancers.

Design: Prospective study of gastric cancer in dyspeptic patients aged over 40 from a defined population.

Setting: 10 General practices (six in central Birmingham, four in Sandwell); the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham; and Sandwell District General Hospital.

Patients: 2659 Patients aged 40 or over referred with dyspepsia.

Main outcome measure: Increase in early and operable gastric cancers detected in middle aged patients with dyspepsia.

Results: Disease was identified in 1992 patients (75%). Fifty seven were found to have gastric cancer, 36 being treated by potentially curative resection, including 15 with early cancer.

Conclusions: The investigation of dyspeptic patients over 40 at first attendance can increase the proportion of early gastric cancers detected to 26% and the proportion of operable cases to 63%. Such a policy has the potential to reduce mortality from gastric cancer in the population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Dyspepsia / etiology*
  • Gastroscopy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Precancerous Conditions / diagnosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stomach Neoplasms / complications
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology