Stomach cancer (SC) is a major health problem in many countries. Due to geographical variations, understanding the current burden of SC and the differential trends across various locations is essential We used estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 to analyse the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to SC in 195 countries and territories in 21 regions from 1990 to 2017.

GBD methods

In 2017, more than 1·22 million (95% UI 1·19–1·25) incident cases of SC occurred worldwide and nearly 865 000 people (848 000–885 000) died of SC, contributing to 19·1 million (18·7–19·6) DALYs. The highest ASIRs in 2017 were seen in high-income Asia Pacific countries (ASIR: 29·5 [28·2–31·0]) and east Asia (ASIR: 28·6 [27·3–30·0]), with nearly half of the global incident cases living in China. Compared to 1990, in 2017 there were over 356 000 more incident cases of stomach cancer, leading to nearly 96 000 more deaths. Despite the increase in absolute numbers, the worldwide age-standardised rates of stomach cancer (incidence, mortality, and DALYs) have declined since 1990. Globally, 38·2% of the DALYs were attributable to high-sodium diet in both sexes, and in males, 24·5% of the DALYs were attributable to smoking.

Our findings provide insight into the changing burden of stomach cancer, which is useful in planning local strategies and monitoring their progress. To this end, specific local strategies should be tailored to each country’s risk factor profile. Despite the decline in age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, a decrease in the absolute number of cases and deaths will be possible if the burden in east Asia, where currently almost half of the incident cases and deaths occur, is further reduced.