| Grant number: | 12/11337-3 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation |
| Start date: | October 01, 2012 |
| End date: | May 31, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics |
| Principal Investigator: | Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike Folgueira |
| Grantee: | Priscila Cristina Abduch Adas Branas |
| Host Institution: | Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract Cancer is one of the most incident diseases in the world. Due to the enlargement of the aging population, the problem may be enhanced even more. Malignant tumors are the result of genetic mutations, among other causes, that change the normal mechanisms of the cell, leading them to present malignant characteristics. Habits and environmental factors may also influence carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Most of the malignant tumors affect individuals over 55 years old, mainly as a result of the increased probability of occurrence of mutations in predisposing cancer over the years. Cancer in young patients, between 15 and 30 years old, represents 2-5% of the world's cases of cancer. Gastric cancer is the fourth most common type of malignant tumor and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, responsible for 95% of de cases. The H. pylori infection is the main cause of gastric cancer. Besides that, several other factors may be associated with the disease, including a positive relationship between high consumption of alcohol and tobacco and the risk of developing gastric cancer. In addition, a high body mass index is also a risk factor for the disease. Early-onset gastric cancer affects, by definition, individuals under 45 years old, representing about 10% of the cases, however, the incidence of gastric cancer under 30 years old is relatively rare. Young patients are more likely to develop the diffuse pattern of the disease. Is postulated that genetic factors must be more important in this age group than in older patients since younger people were less exposed to carcinogenic factors. The H. pylori possibly participate in the development of gastric malignant tumors in young patients, but with a less significant rate in older patients. Approximately, 10% of the young patients with gastric cancer have a positive family history. Despite the fact that underlying genetic events are not fully known, the CDH1 gene mutations, a gene that codes for the cell adhesion protein E-cadherin, are the most important. The CDH1 germinal mutations explain only a small percentage of the early onset tumors. Therefore, studies with young patients with the disease might help in understanding stomach carcinogenesis. Few studies have evaluated the social-economic, environmental, and life habits related to gastric cancer in young patients. As habits and socio-economic factors may be involved in the development of several tumor types, our aim is to evaluate them in this group of patients using a questionnaire, specifically developed for this disease. This questionnaire will include several environmental and social factors, personal history, and patients´ habits. The survey will be applied to patients aged 18 and 40 years attended at Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo.(AU) | |
| News published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the scholarship: | |
| More itemsLess items | |
| TITULO | |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): | |
| More itemsLess items | |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) | |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) | |