The present study was designed to evaluate the potential use of TNFR1 genotyping (TNFR1 -580 A/G and TNFR1 -609 G/T) and TNFR1 serum levels as predictive markers in the identification and follow-up of patients that present a high risk to develop gastric cancer. The gene discussed is TNFRSF1A; the disease is gastric cancer.