[Analysis of current surgery of gastric cancer in Venezuela]

Gastric cancer in Venezuela is a public health problem occupying the first place as a cause of death due to cancer. The experience of the University Hospital of Caracas during the 1976-86 decade is reviewed. Surgical morbidity and mortality is adequate and relates with other local literature reviewed. The difference is that our patients are seen when lesions are very advanced and all therapeutic measures do not get five years survivals. When diagnosis is early and appropriate surgery is performed, survival is similar to other statistics. It is important to emphasize early diagnosis, massive exams, and public campaigns associated with aggressive surgical treatment that will improve the prognosis of this fatal disease.