GASTRIC-CANCER - A UNIQUE ETIOLOGIC ENTIT Y

Based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological data, the existenc e of two etiologic entities, for what is generically considered as gas tric carcinoma, is postulated. Environmental factors would be more imp ortant in the etiology of the differentiated type of gastric cancer an d genetic factors would have a relevant role in the etiology of the un differentiated type. Geographic, ethnic, environmental and genetic fac tors participate in the epidemiology of gastric cancer. This review em phasizes the evidences supporting the role of genetic factors in the e tiology of undifferentiated gastric cancer. The importance of looking for a share phenotype among patients with this type of cancer is under scored.