Gastric carcinoma in Durban's Indian population

Histologically proven gastric carcinoma was studied to establish the incidence and pattern of the disease in the Indian population of Durban. The incidence in this population was found to be low, 6.9/100,000/year. Over a 7-year period (1980-1986) 115 patients were treated for gastric carcinoma at R. K. Khan Hospital. There was a male preponderance, and the average age at presentation was 56 years. The commonest presenting symptoms were dyspepsia and vomiting, and the majority of patients presented with advanced disease. Only a third underwent resection, a third had no treatment, and a third underwent palliative bypass or laparotomy only. The majority of patients who had a palliative bypass or no treatment died within 9 months. The 5-year survival rate for patients undergoing curative resection was 38% and for palliative resection 9%. To improve survival, emphasis must be on early diagnosis and it is recommended that any patient with dyspepsia who is over the age of 30 years should have an endoscopic investigation.