title: The Korean Gastric Cancer Cohort Study: Study Protocol and Brief Results of a Large-Scale Prospective Cohort Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to establish a large-scale database of patients with gastric cancer to facilitate the development of a national-cancer management system and a comprehensive cancer control policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational prospective cohort study on gastric cancer was initiated in 2010. A total of 14 cancer centers throughout the country and 152 researchers were involved in this study. Patient enrollment began in January 2011, and data regarding clinicopathological characteristics, life style-related factors, quality of life, as well as diet diaries were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 4,963 patients were enrolled until December 2014, and approximately 5% of all Korean patients with gastric cancer annually were included. The mean age was 58.2±11.5 years, and 68.2% were men. The number of patients in each stage was as follows: 3,394 patients (68.4%) were in stage IA/B; 514 patients (10.4%), in stage IIA/B; 469 patients (9.5%), in stage IIIA/B/C; and 127 patients (2.6%), in stage IV. Surgical treatment was performed in 3,958 patients (79.8%), endoscopic resection was performed in 700 patients (14.1%), and 167 patients (3.4%) received palliative chemotherapy. The response rate for the questionnaire on the quality of life was 95%; however, diet diaries were only collected for 27% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To provide comprehensive information on gastric cancer for patients, physicians, and government officials, a large-scale database of Korean patients with gastric cancer was established. Based on the findings of this cohort study, an effective cancer management system and national cancer control policy could be developed.
authors.affiliation: Gastric Cancer Branch, Division of Translational & Clinical Research I, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Bang Wool
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.affiliation: Gastric Cancer Branch, Division of Translational & Clinical Research I, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Biometric Research Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Ho
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Gastric Cancer Branch, Division of Translational & Clinical Research I, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Keun Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon Regional Cancer Center, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Gyeongnam Regional Cancer Center, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Han-Kwang
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Cancer Center, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Chilgok, Korea.
authors.forename: Wansik
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yook
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Busan Cancer Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Geun Am
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk Regional Cancer Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sei-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju Regional Cancer Center, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
authors.forename: Heung Up
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Gangwon Regional Cancer Center, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Bae
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk Regional Cancer Center, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Doo-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Cohort studies; Korea; Quality of life; Stomach neoplasms