In this review, the authors examine the molecular and cellular events that …

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Pathology of gastric cancer
• Aetiology of gastric cancer
• The role of inflammation in gastric cancer
• Molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis
• Conclusion
• References

Gastric cancer remains a major health problem being the fourth commonest cause of cancer death in Europe[1]. On a global scale, gastric cancer remains the world’s second commonest malignancy, having only been overtaken by lung cancer in the late 1980’s[2-4]. There is substantial international variation in gastric cancer incidence with the highest rates reported from Korea, Japan and eastern Asia. Other high incidence areas include Eastern Europe and parts of Latin America, while Western Europe and the US generally have low incidence rates. The global burden of gastric cancer is shifting rapidly from the developed world to the developing world. Despite the worldwide decline in incidence and the major improvements in diagnosis and treatment, less than 20% of patients survive to 5 years.