RESUMEN INTRODUCCION: El cancer gastrico es una de las neoplasias mas prevalentes, en Colombia esta enfermedad es la principal causa de muerte por cancer, su diagnostico temprano es dificil, por esto se ha impuesto como metodo de deteccion temprana, la evaluacion endoscopica e histopatologica de la mucosa gastrica. OBJETIVO: Describir las caracteristicas de los pacientes sometidos al programa de deteccion temprana de cancer gastrico en la Liga Santandereana de Lucha Contra el Cancer durante los anos 2004 y 2005. MATERIALES Y METODOS: Se realizo un estudio observacional retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 155 pacientes, 103 hombres (66,5%), con edad media de 45,43+14,15 anos. Los principales sintomas referidos fueron epigastralgia 63,4%, pirosis 55,5%, regurgitacion 26,5%, perdida de peso 26,5%, meteorismo 18% y nauseas 16%; los antecedentes mas frecuentes fueron toxicologicos 25,5%, consumo masivo de maiz 11,6%, poseer grupo sanguineo A + 58% y antecedente de cancer en la familia de primer grado 21,3%; el unico signo encontrado fue masa abdominal 0,6%; en la endoscopia se hallo gastritis 67,72%, hernia hiatal 2,58%, ulcera gastrica 1,93% y esofagitis 1,29%; por ultimo los hallazgos patologicos mas frecuentes fueron gastritis cronica 31,61%, gastritis cronica folicular 16,77%, ulcera peptica 1,29%, ulcera peptica folicular 1,29%, y adenocarcinoma 1,29%. CONCLUSIONES: Los programas de deteccion temprana del cancer gastrico permiten el reconocimiento de multiples alteraciones del sistema gastrointestinal superior, entre ellas diversas lesiones neoplasicas y preneoplasicas; en la poblacion estudiada los pacientes poseian sintomatologia y/o antecedentes sugestivos de lesiones gastrointestinales. Salud/UIS 2009; 41: 49-56 Palabras clave: Neoplasias gastricas, gastritis, gastropatias, signos y sintomas, endoscopia gastrointestinal, cribado ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The gastric cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms. In Colombia this disease is the principal cause of death by cancer. Its early diagnosis is diffcult, for that reason, the mass evaluation, using endoscopy and histopathology of biopsy specimens has been imposed as detection method of the early gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of the patients who went under early detection of gastric cancer at the Liga Santandereana de Lucha Contra el Cancer during 2004 and 2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study. RESULTS: 155 patients were studied, 103 men (66,5%) with a mean of age of 45.43 ± 14.15 years. The principal referred symptoms were epigastric pain 63.4%, pirosis 55.5%, regurgitation 26.5%, weight loss 26.5%, metheorism 18%, nausea 16%, vomit 14.8% and abdominal distention 14.8%. The most frequent antecedents were toxicological 25.5%, followed by the massive corn intake 11.6%, having A + blood type 58% and having history of cancer in the frst degree family 21.3%. The only sign found was abdominal mass 0.6%. The principal endoscopic finding were gastritis 67.72%. Finally, the most frequent pathological fndings were chronic gastritis 31.61%, chronic follicular gastritis 16.77%, peptic ulcer 1.29%, follicular peptic ulcer 1.29% and adenocarcinoma 1.29%. CONCLUSIONS: Sifting for gastric cancer allows detecting multiple alterations of the superior gastrointestinal tract. In the studied population the most of the patients who underwent to the early diagnosis, had symptoms and/or antecedents that suggested gastrointestinal lesions. Finally, it must be encouraged the continuity in the programs of early detection of preneoplastic lesions. Salud UIS 2009; 41: 49-56 Keywords: Stomach neoplasms, gastritis, stomach diseases, signs and symptoms, gastrointestinal endoscopy, early detection