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Background Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant public health issue in many countries globally due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. In Georgia, the incidence of GC reflects the prevalence patterns of established risk factors. To develop appropriate prevention and treatment strategies, GC requires a comprehensive approach and research. This study aims to review and describe GC epidemiologic characteristics in the country. Methodology We conducted a descriptive analysis utilizing data from the national population-based cancer registry. All patients diagnosed with invasive GC between 2015 and 2022 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. To calculate age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and mortality (ASMR) rates we used a direct method, standardized to the World (WHO 2000-2025) standard population. Trends in Incidence and mortality were assessed using standardized rate ratios (SRRs). The mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) was defined as the ratio of the ASMR to the ASIR for the corresponding year. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to construct survival curves with survival comparisons performed using the log-rank test. Results A total of 2,707 GC cases with 62% (n = 1,668) of patients being male were enrolled in this descriptive study. The median age at diagnosis was 65 years, and about 70% (n = 1,893) of cases were detected at advanced (III and IV) stages. Over the study period, the ASIR per 100,000 population for both sexes decreased from 8.4 to 7.3. The SRR and 95% confidence interval indicated no significant change in ASIR for males but it decreased for females in 2022 compared to 2015. In 2022, the ASMR decreased compared to 2015 for males (from 10.5 to 7.3/100,00) and for females (from 5.8 to 3.0/100,000) as well. However, the MIR ââindicated an unstable reduction in mortality, fluctuating over the observation period. The five-year survival rate was around 22.0%. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive overview of GC epidemiology in Georgia between 2015 and 2022. GC remains a significant public health challenge, characterized by the high proportion of late-stage diagnoses and high mortality rates. The implementation of prevention and early diagnosis strategies is crucial to reduce the burden of GC in the country.
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INTRODUCTION: The national burden of gastric cancer (GC) is high in Georgia, which is determined by its high mortality and low survival. The study aimed to estimate the effect of age at diagnosis on the prognosis of GC patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2020 in Georgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained data for the study from the national population-based cancer registry. All patients 15 years of age or older, diagnosed during 2015-2020 with invasive GC (site codes C16.0 to C16.9, International Classification of Diseases for Oncology), were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. We produced survival curves using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival between groups. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using univariate Cox proportional models and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. The endpoint of the study was overall survival (OS). The level of statistical significance of the study findings was estimated using p-values and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1,828 gastric cancer cases were included in the statistical analysis. The average age of patients was 65 years. The bivariate Cox's regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of gastric cancer mortality increased gradually with the age of cancer patients. The HR and 95% CI were as follows: 1.5 (1.1-1.8) and 2.1 (1.5-2.5) in the 46-65 years and >65 years groups, respectively, with the <46 years group as a reference. Moreover, multivariable Cox's regression analysis proved that age is an independent risk factor for GC mortality (HR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2-1.8; p<.001). Conclusion: We found that age at diagnosis was a significant predictor of the worse survival of GC patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2020 in Georgia.