Gastric Cancer in Thai Patients, Helicobacter pylori and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Status
Ongprakobkul C, MD1, Kwankajonwong N, MD1, Werawatganon D, MD1, Klaikaew N, MD2, Rerknimitr R, MD3
Affiliation : 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Gastric cancer is a common cancer with high burden of disease in many countries including Thailand.
Objective : The presented study is to determine current status of gastric cancer in Thai patients in various aspects.
Materials and Methods : The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 68 patients diagnosed with histologically proven
gastric cancer in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from 2012 to 2016.
Results : There were 36 males and 32 females with the mean age at 63.3+13.1 years. The most common initial symptoms were
abdominal pain in females and gastrointestinal bleeding in males. Adenocarcinoma was the most common pathological finding. 16
of 34 patients had positive Helicobacter pylori testing and 3 of 14 patients had HER2-positive cancer. The percentage of patients with
advanced-stage cancer was not significantly different between positive and negative groups of Helicobacter pylori, HER2, smoking,
alcohol drinking and also between sexes. The majority of adenocarcinoma was stage IV in 51.6% with poorly-differentiated grading
in 64.5%. The mean age of patients with metastasis was significantly lower than that of patients who did not. Surgical resection was
the primary treatment.
Conclusion : Gastric cancer is still considered to be a health problem in Thailand with delayed diagnosis. Early diagnosis and prompt
treatment should be encouraged.
Keywords : Gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori, Thailand, Stomach cancer
