The presentation of Hispanic gastric cancer patients varies by location of patient ancestry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The clinical presentation of gastric cancer varies between racial and ethnic groups. While historically studied as a monolithic population, the Hispanic ethnicity is comprised of heterogenous groups with considerable biologic, socioeconomic, and cultural variability; therefore, intragroup differences among Hispanic gastric cancer patients may have been overlooked in past research.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to compare Hispanic patients with gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2015, by NCDB-reported location of patient ancestry.

RESULTS

We identified a cohort of 3811 patients. There were higher proportions of females, patients with early disease onset, and stage 4 disease among patients of Mexican and South/Central American ancestry. Additionally, a significantly larger proportion of Mexican (15%) and South/Central American patients (11%) were diagnosed before age 40, in contrast to Cubans (2%), Dominicans (6%), and Puerto Ricans (3%; p < 0.0001). Mexican ancestry was independently associated with an increased rate of all-cause mortality at 5 years (hazard ratio: 1.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant clinical and epidemiological differences exist among Hispanic gastric cancer patients based on location of ancestry. Future data collection endeavors should strive to capture this granularity inherent to the Hispanic ethnicity.