[Incidence of gastric cancer in the 02 health area of Castellon].

We retrospectively reviewed 169 cases of gastric carcinoma diagnosed between 1992 and 1994 in a population of 349,318 inhabitants included in Health Zone 02 in the province of Castellon. These 169 cases correspond to an incidence ratio of 16.1 cases/100,000 inhabitants/year. Males were affected more frequently than females in a 2/1 ratio. Additionally, a male predominance exists at younger ages, however below the age of 30 the incidence in males and females was similar. Pathologic findings showed that the diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma was more frequently encountered (57.4%) than the Lauren's intestinal type. Overall, the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma in the zones that was studied was higher than in the other two provinces of the Comunidad Valenciana.