Gastric carcinoma in the West Indies: a Trinidad study

Gastric carcinoma, the commonest cause of death from malignant disease in Trinidad, has decreased steadily over the period 1968-1977. Of the 1052 deaths during this time, females accounted for a relatively high percentage (45%) of cases. There is a predominance of antral tumors, and most cases present with very advanced disease (88% with Stage III & IV). This results in a low resectability rate (32%). Its racial predilection for blacks of the lower income group suggests that both genetic and environmental factors may be important. The possible role of dietary factors is discussed.