Diagnóstico, estadificación y tratamiento del cáncer gástrico en Colombia desde 2004 a 2008 (REGATE -Colombia)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to collect and analyze data related to the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed gastric cancer (GC) no matter at what stage of the disease diagnosis occurred. Methods: REGATE is an international, multicenter, observational survey of patients with GC. Patients with newly diagnosed primary GC were enrolled from August 2004 to July 2008. Data were collected at an initial visit and again within 10 months of the first consultation. We collected baseline characteristics, staging, diagnosis, and treatment information. Results for Colombia are presented in this article. Results: 600 subjects were enrolled. The mean age among participants was 62.80±12.89 years. 65.2% of the participating subjects were males. 98% had experienced gastric symptoms, and 97.6% had had a previous endoscopy. Mean time from first symptoms to diagnosis was 6.45±6.84 months. Only 6% (36) had family histories of gastric cancer while 68.3% (409) of the subjects had not been assessed for H. pylori infections. Of those assessed only 7.7%, (46) were positive for H. pylori infection. The most frequent primary tumor site was in the antrum (40.9%). 34.4% had poorly differentiated tumors while 34.7% had stage II disease. Surgery was the most frequent treatment (62.0%) followed by palliative therapy (46.3%). The most common neoadjuvant therapies were fluoropyrimidines and platinum salts. Conclusions: More than 95% of the 600 patients were enrolled in REGATE Colombia had complained of gastric symptoms and had had at least one endoscopy. Mean time to diagnosis was 6.45months. The great majority of these subjects had poorly differentiated tumors and had been diagnosed at stage II. The most common treatment was surgery, followed by palliative therapy.