Conglomerados de cáncer gástrico en el Estado Mérida, Venezuela

gastric cancer (gc) is second in importance among males and third among females in venezuela, with variable regional rates. stratified gc age-sex standardized mortality (assm) rates truncated above 35 years age in the four western states were found to be 13.3 (zulia), 32.9 (barinas) a 45.6 (merida) and 53.6 (tachira), which suggests the occurrence of propensity factors associated to the mountain environment. the ratio of gc to other digestive organ tumors in the andean states doubles the values of the lower territories. the gc/colo-rectal cancer ratio in males was 1.23; 3.91; 4.99 and 5.37, respectively. the geographical gc assm distribution per sanitary district in mérida was also significantly greater for the mountain areas than for the lakeside plains. gc rate analysis at community levels (1995-1999) revealed a gc cluster limited to the south west portion of merida state near the border with tachira, around the town of tovar and nearby villages. some possible causes are suggested for further research.