Trends of stomach cancer survival: A systematic review of survival rates from population-based cancer registration

Objectives We aimed to describe the pattern and time trends of survival from stomach cancer worldwide from population-based cancer registers. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SEER and SinoMed for articles published up to 31 December 2020 was conducted. All eligible survival analyses of stomach cancer were collected and evaluated by countries or regions, periods, sex and age groups. Results Our review included 76 articles on stomach cancer survival rates and found that these rates had improved globally with time, although this increase was unremarkable. The highest 5-year survival rate of 72.1% was observed in Japan (2004-2007). The 5-year relative and net survival, rates were relatively high in Korea and Japan, while they were fairly poor in Africa and India. Sex-specific survival rates were higher in women than in men in America, Europe and Oceania, whereas they were relatively low in Asia. The poorest age-specific 5-year relative and net survival rates were observed in patients aged over 75 years. Conclusions Over the past decades, patient prognosis of stomach cancer has gradually improved worldwide and survival rates in developed regions were higher than those in developing regions. White men and Asian women had a poorer survival than white women and Asian men. Younger patients had better survival rates than those aged over 75 years globally.

Automated summary

This study examined the survival patterns and trends of stomach cancer worldwide using population-based cancer registers. The results showed that the survival rates of stomach cancer have improved globally over time, although the increase was not significant. Japan had the highest 5-year survival rate, while Africa and India had relatively poor rates. Survival rates were higher in women than in men in America, Europe, and Oceania, but lower in Asia. Older patients aged over 75 years had the poorest survival rates.