Impact of screening survey of gastric cancer on clinicopathological features and survival: Retrospective study at a single institution

Background. Detection of gastric cancer in an early stage is important to i mprove the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer: This study compared t he clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical results in patients with asymptomatic gastric cancer detected by a screening program with those of p atients with symptomatic cancer The efficacy of 2 screening methods (barium meal and endoscopy) was also compared. Methods, The subjects included 196 patients with asymptomatic gastric cance r detected by screening (screening group) and 612 patients with symptomatic gastric cancer (nonscreening group) treated from 1979 to 1997. The screeni ng group was subdivided into the barium meal study group (n = 150) and the endoscopic study group (n = 46). Results. The incidences of early gastric cancer and 5-year survival rates b etween the screening and nonscreening groups were 77% versus 29% (P <.0001) and 81% versus 44% (P <.0001), respectively. The endoscopic study appeared to be able to detect smaller gastric cancer in an earlier stage compared w ith the barium meal study, although no statistical differences in survival rate were noted between these 2 screening methods. Conclusions. Screening plays an important role in detecting gastric cancer in an early stage and in potentially reducing death attributable to gastric cancer Endoscopic screening is recommended as the best screening method.