Stage at presentation for medically underserved gastric cancer patients.

26 Background: Survival disparities in the United States exist for nearly all malignancies. The relationship between stage at presentation and outcome is not well understood. Our hypothesis is that medically un- and underinsured gastric cancer (GC) patients present at advanced stage leading to worse outcomes. Methods: Institutional review board approved review of the departmental gastrointestinal cancer database from 04/08/2000 to 11/18/2008. All patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma were included; clinicopathologic, treatment and outcome data was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 10. Results: A total of 185 patients (108 male, 77 female) were included in this study. Mean age at diagnosis for all patients was 55.3 yrs. The mean age at diagnosis was lower for Hispanics (52.4 years) when compared to other races (ANOVA p = 0.00). The majority of Hispanic patients presented with stage IV disease (55%, chi square p = 0.01). The age range and minimum age at diagnosis was differen...