[Etiological epidemiology of gastric tumors]

Italy still ranks high among European countries for gastric cancer (GC) incidence and mortality. The main determinants of GC are nutritional: a dietary pattern "at high risk" is typically characterized by a large component of salted, preserved, monotonous and traditional foods, opposed to a "low risk" pattern, with a high-consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and a varied diet. "Low risk" diet effect is supposed to be linked to its component in antioxidant micronutrients, which could positively interfere in the natural history of the disease. Other relevant identified factors are represented by cigarette smoking, some occupational exposures to dust and the infection with Helicobacter pylori. This last factor has been identified in several international studies, but its role in Italy needs further research.