OBJECTIVETo conduct a survival analysis of gastric cancer patients according to the data of population-based cancer registry during 2005-2010 in Zhejiang Province in order to provide information for prognosis assessment and control of this disease.

METHODSThe deadline of the last follow-up of 26, 536 patients was December 31st, 2012. Cumulative observed survival rate (OSR) and expected survival rate were calculated by life table and Hakulinen method.

RESULTSthe 1-, 3-, and 5-year OSR were 58.51%, 39.07%, and 33.08%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year relative survival rates (RSR) were 60.24%, 42.90%, and 39.03%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year relative survival rates of males vs. females were 60.49% vs. 59.65%, 42.88% vs. 42.96%, and 38.76% vs. 39.64%, respectively, statistically with non-significant differences (χ(2) = 0.13, P > 0.05) between them. The 5-year OSR and RSR of urban patients were 39.15% and 46.30%, and the 5-year OSR and RSR of rural patients were 30.81% and 36.32%, with statistically significant differences between them (P < 0.05). The 15-44 age group had a better relative survival rate.

CONCLUSIONSThe survival rate of gastric cancer patients in Zhejiang Province is low. Work of cancer prevention and control should be strengthened. The wide variation in gastric cancer survival rates between urban and rural patients indicates that priority should be given to rural areas in allocating medical and public health resources.