Background Gastric cancer is a common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Cardia gastric cancer originates in the area where the esophagus meets the stomach, while non-cardia gastric cancer develops in other parts of the stomach. These subtypes have distinct risk factors, epidemiological patterns, and prognoses, necessitating tailored approaches for prevention, early detection, and treatment. This study aimed to investigate the latest global incidence of gastric cancer by anatomical subtypes using international and national cancer registries.

Methods Data on gastric cancer incidence by anatomical subtypes in 2022 were obtained from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) and Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) Volume XII. Age-standardised rates for gastric cancer incidence by anatomical subtypes were adjusted using the world standard population.

Results The global incidence of gastric cancer in 2022 was estimated to be 9.2 per 100,000 persons, with a total of 968,488 cases. Cardia gastric cancer accounted for 32.7% of cases, while non-cardia gastric cancer represented 67.3%. Cardia gastric cancer was more common among males (36.0%) than females (26.7%), particularly in the older population (35.1%) compared to the younger population (29.0%). The highest proportion of cardia gastric cancer cases was observed in South Central Asia (52.4%), Oceania (47.0%), and Northern America (42.6%). In contrast, the highest proportion of non-cardia gastric cancer cases was observed in the Caribbean (81.1%), Southern Europe (78.7%), and Eastern Europe (76.2%).

Conclusions Non-cardia gastric cancer remains the predominant subtype of gastric cancer globally. However, cardia gastric cancer was found to be more prevalent in South Central Asia. Additionally, a higher proportion of cardia gastric cancer cases were observed among males and the older population compared with their counterparts. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying reasons for these distinct patterns.