Signet Ring Cell Gastric Carcinoma: Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes in a Predominantly Latino County Hospital Population

Background Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRC) is a rare but increasingly prevalent tumor histotype whose clinical features and natural history are poorly understood, particularly in the USA and minorities. Aims To examine the occurrence, clinico-demographic characteristics, oncologic features, treatment, and outcomes of GSRC in a predominantly minority county hospital setting and benchmark them against data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Methods We queried biopsy-proven GSRC cases at a Los Angeles County hospital, from 2004 to 2017. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival data were collected and compared to SEER data. Results We identified 63 patients with GSRC. Compared to SEER, our cohort was significantly younger (52.6 vs. 63.5 years, p