Gastric cancer is still a global powerhouse, with 1,089,103 new cases recorded worldwide in 2020 and 769,000 deaths the same year. Yet the risk is far from uniform, from Mongolia’s highest burden at 33.1 per 100,000 in 2020 to incidence levels as low as 4.5 per 100,000 in Australia. We also see sharp contrasts within countries and subtypes, like cardia cancer rising by 2.2% per year in high-income regions and non-Hispanic Black Americans facing a 50% higher incidence than non-Hispanic Whites.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, gastric cancer accounted for 1,089,103 new cases worldwide, making it the fifth most common cancer globally
- Gastric cancer incidence rate is 11.1 per 100,000 globally in 2022 estimates, with higher rates in Eastern Asia at 32.4 per 100,000
- In the United States, there were 26,500 new cases of stomach cancer estimated in 2023
- Global gastric cancer mortality 769,000 deaths in 2020, third leading cancer killer
- 5-year relative survival US all stages 36.3% (2013-2019), localized 75.5%
- In Japan, overall 5-yr survival 64.3% due to screening (2014-2016)
- Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence correlates with 80% of gastric cancer cases globally
- Smoking increases gastric cancer risk by 1.5-2 fold, with 17% of cases attributable in men
- High salt intake (>5g/day) raises gastric cancer risk by 1.7 times per WHO estimates
- Early satiety occurs in 60-80% of advanced gastric cancer patients
- Unintentional weight loss >10% body weight in 3 months seen in 70% cases
- Endoscopy detects 90-95% of gastric cancers, with biopsy confirmation
- 5-year survival for stage I gastric cancer post-resection is 70-90%
- Perioperative chemotherapy (FLOT regimen) improves OS by 10% vs surgery alone
- Trastuzumab + chemo in HER2+ advanced disease median OS 13.8 vs 11.1 months
In 2020 gastric cancer caused 769,000 deaths worldwide, with rising incidence in high income regions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Epidemiology25 stats
01
In 2020, gastric cancer accounted for 1,089,103 new cases worldwide, making it the fifth most common cancer globally
02
Gastric cancer incidence rate is 11.1 per 100,000 globally in 2022 estimates, with higher rates in Eastern Asia at 32.4 per 100,000
03
In the United States, there were 26,500 new cases of stomach cancer estimated in 2023
04
Age-standardized incidence rate for gastric cancer in Japan is 27.5 per 100,000 for males in 2020
05
Gastric cancer prevalence is highest in Mongolia at 33.1 per 100,000 in 2020
06
In Europe, gastric cancer incidence has declined by 3.7% annually from 1990-2019
07
US gastric cancer incidence among non-Hispanic Blacks is 50% higher than non-Hispanic Whites at 7.1 vs 4.7 per 100,000
08
Globally, gastric cardia cancer incidence is rising in high-income countries by 2.2% per year
09
In China, gastric cancer represents 25.8% of all cancer cases in men aged 50-74
10
Korean males have the highest gastric cancer incidence at 39.6 per 100,000 in 2018
11
Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide with 769,000 deaths in 2020
12
Incidence of gastric cancer in Latin America averages 15-20 per 100,000, highest in Chile at 34.1
13
In India, gastric cancer incidence is 3.6 per 100,000 but rising in urban areas
14
Eastern Europe has gastric cancer rates of 18.2 per 100,000 for males
15
Global gastric cancer burden projected to reach 1.3 million new cases by 2040
16
In 2022 GLOBOCAN, Mongolia had highest gastric cancer ASMR 27.2 per 100,000
17
Female global incidence 8.7 per 100,000 vs male 15.7 in 2020
18
Brazil gastric cancer incidence 12.5 per 100,000 average
19
Russia mortality rate 17.4 per 100,000 males 2020
20
Incidence peaks age 70-74 globally, 50.2 per 100,000 men
21
Australia incidence low at 4.5 per 100,000 due to H.pylori decline
22
Iran high rate 17.9 per 100,000, second most common GI cancer
23
UK incidence 6.3 per 100,000, cardia subtype rising
24
Nigeria low incidence 4.1 but poor data quality
25
Vietnam incidence 15.6 per 100,000, fourth common cancer
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
While it remains a grim global heavyweight—ranking fifth in frequency but third in mortality—the story of gastric cancer is one of stark and stubborn inequalities, where geography, gender, and even the type of stomach tumor paint a map of disproportionate suffering, from the alarmingly high rates in Eastern Asia to the troubling disparities in the U.S. and the silent rise of certain subtypes in wealthier nations.
02 · Category
Mortality and Prognosis24 stats
01
Global gastric cancer mortality 769,000 deaths in 2020, third leading cancer killer
02
5-year relative survival US all stages 36.3% (2013-2019), localized 75.5%
03
In Japan, overall 5-yr survival 64.3% due to screening (2014-2016)
04
Gastric cancer causes 8.1% of all cancer deaths worldwide
05
Age-adjusted mortality declining 3.1% annually in US 2016-2020
06
H. pylori eradication prevents 30-50% of cases in high-risk populations
07
Stage at diagnosis: 26% localized, 31% regional, 34% distant US
08
Median survival metastatic gastric cancer untreated 3-4 months
09
Poor prognosis factors: Lauren diffuse type (5-yr OS 20% vs 50% intestinal)
10
Peritoneal metastasis median survival 4-6 months without treatment
11
Signet-ring cell histology 5-yr OS 25% vs 45% adenocarcinoma
12
Lymph node ratio >0.2 worsens 5-yr OS to <30%
13
Global DALYs from gastric cancer 12.2 million in 2019
14
Korea screening program reduced mortality 40% since 2000
15
Global mortality-to-incidence ratio 0.70 for gastric cancer
16
Distant mets 5-yr survival 6.1% US SEER data
17
EBV-positive gastric cancer better prognosis OS HR 0.72
18
pT4 tumors 5-yr OS 15-25%
19
Screening endoscopy Korea incidence down 30%, mortality 47%
20
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio >3 predicts poor OS HR 1.8
21
Lauren intestinal type better prognosis than diffuse
22
Positive margins R1 resection 5-yr OS 20% vs 50% R0
23
PIK3CA mutation associated worse survival HR 1.3
24
Global YLLs 10.1 million from gastric cancer 2019
Interpretation
Mortality and Prognosis Interpretation
Gastric cancer’s grim statistics reveal a stark divide: while early detection and screening can push survival above 75%, the reality for most is a disease caught too late, where median survival can be measured in mere months and global mortality remains devastatingly high.
03 · Category
Risk Factors29 stats
01
Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence correlates with 80% of gastric cancer cases globally
02
Smoking increases gastric cancer risk by 1.5-2 fold, with 17% of cases attributable in men
03
High salt intake (>5g/day) raises gastric cancer risk by 1.7 times per WHO estimates
04
Obesity (BMI>30) is associated with 23% increased risk for cardia gastric cancer
05
Family history of gastric cancer doubles the risk, with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer in 1-3% cases
06
Pernicious anemia increases gastric cancer risk 2.9-fold
07
Chronic atrophic gastritis precedes 70-90% of intestinal-type gastric cancers
08
Alcohol consumption >45g/day ethanol elevates risk by 1.3 times
09
Processed meat intake (50g/day) increases risk by 18% per IARC classification
10
Epstein-Barr virus associated with 10% of gastric cancers, especially lymphoepithelioma-like
11
Low fruit/vegetable intake contributes to 12% of gastric cancers preventable
12
Blood type A individuals have 20% higher gastric cancer risk than type O
13
Occupational exposure to coal dust/nitrosamines raises risk 1.5-3 fold in miners
14
H. pylori cagA-positive strains increase risk 3-5 fold over cagA-negative
15
Gastric surgery for ulcers increases risk 3-fold after 20 years
16
Pickled vegetable consumption risk OR 2.0 in high intake groups
17
Radiation exposure post-Hiroshima doubles gastric cancer risk
18
Ménétrier disease 10-15% progress to gastric cancer
19
Smoked food intake associated with 1.4-fold risk increase
20
CDH1 germline mutation carriers 70% lifetime risk diffuse GC
21
Autoimmune gastritis risk RR 3.5
22
H.pylori vacA s1/m1 genotype OR 4.3 for cancer
23
NSAID/aspirin use reduces risk by 30-50% in cohort studies
24
Physical inactivity OR 1.2 per meta-analysis
25
Gastric ulcer history RR 3.6 for subsequent cancer
26
Barrett esophagus cardia cancer risk 5-fold
27
Statin use long-term reduces risk 40%
28
Vitamin C deficiency doubles risk in low intake populations
29
Shift work night increases risk 1.5-fold via circadian disruption
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
The recipe for gastric cancer, while disturbingly varied from bacterial hitchhikers to midnight snacks, ultimately reveals a sobering truth: our daily choices and unavoidable exposures write a significant part of our stomach's fate.
More related reading
04 · Category
Symptoms and Diagnosis29 stats
01
Early satiety occurs in 60-80% of advanced gastric cancer patients
02
Unintentional weight loss >10% body weight in 3 months seen in 70% cases
03
Endoscopy detects 90-95% of gastric cancers, with biopsy confirmation
04
Serum pepsinogen I/II ratio <3 indicates atrophic gastritis in 85% sensitivity
05
Abdominal pain/epigastric discomfort in 50-70% of symptomatic patients
06
CT scan staging accuracy for T stage is 70-90%, N stage 50-70%
07
Anemia (iron deficiency) present in 40-60% due to occult bleeding
08
PET-CT improves detection of distant mets by 20% over CT alone
09
Dysphagia in 30-50% of proximal gastric tumors
10
Serum CA 72-4 elevated in 40-50% of gastric cancers, specificity 90%
11
EUS for T staging accuracy 85%, N staging 70%
12
Nausea/vomiting in 30-50%, melena in 20-30%
13
HER2 overexpression in 10-20% of gastric adenocarcinomas
14
Diagnostic delay >3 months in 50% of cases in low-resource settings
15
Laparoscopy detects occult peritoneal mets in 20-30% of clinically M0
16
Gastroscopy with narrow-band imaging improves dysplasia detection 2-fold
17
Ascites in 50% advanced cases
18
CEA elevated 20-40%, less specific than CA19-9 50%
19
Magnification chromoendoscopy detects early lesions 95% sensitivity
20
Bone mets in 12% gastric cancer, detected by bone scan
21
Palpable mass 20-30% late presentation
22
Fecal occult blood test positive 60-80% bleeding tumors
23
PD-L1 CPS >=10 in 40% gastric cancers for immunotherapy
24
Liver mets most common 40-50% at diagnosis advanced
25
Confocal endomicroscopy accuracy 90% for invasion depth
26
Paraneoplastic syndromes like acanthosis 5%
27
MSI-high in 10% gastric cancers
28
Diffusion-weighted MRI detects small peritoneal lesions better
29
CLDN18.2 expression 50-70% diffuse type
Interpretation
Symptoms and Diagnosis Interpretation
Behind the sobering numbers of gastric cancer lies a desperate hidden narrative, where a body quietly loses 10% of itself, feels full after a few bites, and endures months of vague discomfort, all while modern tools from endoscopy to immunotherapy biomarkers race—and often stumble—to catch up before it's too late.
05 · Category
Treatment and Survival27 stats
01
5-year survival for stage I gastric cancer post-resection is 70-90%
02
Perioperative chemotherapy (FLOT regimen) improves OS by 10% vs surgery alone
03
Trastuzumab + chemo in HER2+ advanced disease median OS 13.8 vs 11.1 months
04
D2 lymphadenectomy standard, with 15+ nodes examined reducing recurrence 20%
05
Ramucirumab monotherapy PFS 2.8 months in refractory gastric cancer
06
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced: pCR rate 10-20%
07
Nivolumab + chemo first-line OS 14.4 vs 11.6 months in PD-L1 CPS>=5
08
Gastrectomy R0 resection rates 85% in early stage, 60% in advanced
09
HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis improves survival median 15 months
10
Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in Asia: 5-yr OS 71.7% vs 61.1%
11
Targeted MSI-H/dMMR: Pembrolizumab ORR 45-60%
12
Robotic gastrectomy reduces blood loss 50% vs open, lymph nodes similar
13
Second-line Paclitaxel + Ramucirumab OS 10.5 vs 9.3 months
14
5-year survival stage IV: <5%, stage IIIB: 20-30%
15
Postoperative 30-day mortality 1-5% high-volume centers
16
FOLFIRI second-line OS 6.9 months refractory
17
Zolbetuximab + chemo phase 3 OS HR 0.69 CLDN18.2+
18
Endoscopic submucosal dissection cure rate 95% T1a early cancer
19
Irinotecan + cisplatin first-line response 32%
20
Proton pump therapy post-gastrectomy reduces recurrence 25%
21
Total gastrectomy vs subtotal OS similar stage I-II, morbidity higher total
22
Regorafenib third-line PFS 1.4 months
23
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemo median OS 18 months PC
24
CapeOx adjuvant HR 0.70 DFS in CLASSIC trial
25
10-year OS post-curative resection 55% Japan screening cohort
26
Bintrafusp alfa early trials ORR 25% PD-L1+
27
Lymphatic mapping SLNB accuracy 90% early gastric
Interpretation
Treatment and Survival Interpretation
This landscape of statistics tells us that while gastric cancer remains a formidable foe, we now have a precise, if modest, arsenal of strategies—from meticulous surgery and stage-specific chemo to targeted agents—to claw back precious months and, in the early stages, even years of life.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Gastric Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gastric-cancer-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Gastric Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gastric-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Gastric Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gastric-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
11 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level