Clinicopathological Characteristics of Gastric Cancer in China: A 16-Year Single-Center Retrospective Clinical Study

Factors such as Helicobacter pylori eradication and the implementation of widespread early cancer screening have significantly influenced clinicopathological features and patient outcomes in gastric cancer (GC) in China. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of GC and their evolving trends over 16 years (2007-2022) at a single center in China.

Altogether 14 943 patients diagnosed with primary gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection from 2007 to 2022 were included. Clinicopathological data of these patients were collected, and the patients were divided into three groups according to the time period when GC was diagnosed, with broken line charts illustrating trends.

There was a significant increase in the detection rates of early gastric cancer (EGC) and stage I GC over time, as well as a considerable increase in T1 GC. Although there was a male predominance in GC (69.85%), the proportion of female patients also increased over time. The age of patients with GC also significantly increased. There was a marked increase in differentiated EGC, while there was also an increase in poorly differentiated advanced GC. Gastric body cancer showed a gradual increase over the years. The size of both EGC and advanced GC decreased gradually. Furthermore, the rates of lymph node metastasis and vascular involvement significantly reduced.

The clinicopathological characteristics of GC in China have undergone significant changes over the past 16 years. This suggests the potential progress made through EGC screening initiatives in China.