Abstract
Background
Gastric carcinoma is usually characterized with significant morbidity and mortality mainly because of late presentation. Late presentation of gastric carcinoma is a prominent feature in developing and poor countries.
Aim of Study
The purpose of this study is to present our experience with the pattern and outcome of gastric tumors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; with emphasis on late presentation of the patients.
Patients and Methods
The case files of the patients that were managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for gastric tumors over a 5-year period (January 2004 to December 2006) were analyzed for biodata, symptoms and signs of disease, findings at operation, treatment offered, and outcome of treatment.
Results
The male/female ratio was 2.3:1, with the youngest patient being 38 years while the oldest patient was 76 years old. Upper abdominal pain and a palpable mass per abdomen were the commonest symptoms and signs, respectively. Alcohol ingestion was the commonest identifiable risk factor. Only 30.4% of the patients presented within a year of the onset of symptoms. The gastric antrum was affected in over 78% of the cases, and adenocarcinoma was found in about 90% of the patients. Partial gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy was the commonest procedure carried out. The mortality rate was 39.1%, and of the patients that died, 66.7% occurred within a year from time of diagnosis.
Conclusion
Most of the cases of gastric carcinoma presented in this study presented late with associated significant mortality. Health education is advised with a view to encouraging early presentation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Yeoh KG. How do we improve outcomes of gastric cancer? J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;22:970–2.
Kandasami P, Tan WJ, Norain K. Gastric cancer in Malaysia: the need for early diagnosis. Med J Malaysia. 2003;58:758–62.
Inoue M, Tsugane S. Epidemiology of gastric cancer in Japan. Postgrad Med J. 2005;81:419–24.
Vaquerano J, Esemuede N, Odocha O, Leffall LD. Gastric carcinoma in African Americans: a ten year single center analysis. In Vivo. 1996;10:233–5.
Oluwasola AO, Ogunbiyi JO. Gastric cancer: aetiological, clinicopathological and management patterns in Nigeria. Niger J Med. 2003;12:177–86.
Howson CP, Hiyama T, Wynder EL. The decline in gastric cancer: epidemiology of an unplanned triumph. Epidemiol Rev. 1986;8:1–27.
Rad R. Gastric cancer in Japan. NEJM. 2008;359:2394–5.
Alatise OI, Lawal OO, Adesunkanmi AK, et al. Clinical patterns and management of gastric cancer in Ile-Ife Nigeria. Arb Journal of Gastroenterol. 2007;8:123–6.
Oluwasola AO, Ogunbiyi JO. Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and gastric cancer in Nigeria. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2003;22:212–14.
Tsugane S, Sasazuki S. Diet and the risk of gastric cancer: review of epidemiological evidence. Gastric Cancer. 2007;10:75–83.
Jemal A, Tiwari RC, Murray T, et al. Cancer statistics 2004. CA Cancer J Clin. 2004;54:8–29.
Parkin DM. Global cancer statistics in the 2000. Lancet Oncol. 2001;2:533–43.
Balint GA. Gastric and colorectal cancer in the tropical part of Africa. Acta Medica Hunganca. 1990;47:91–8.
Mabogunje OA, Lawrie JH. Surgical management of advanced gastric carcinoma in Zaria, Nigeria. Eur J Surg Oncol. 1985;11:361–4.
Sirwardana HD, Pathirana A. Adenocarcinoma of the stomach in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Med J. 2007;52:53–5.
Sue-Ling HM, Johnston D, Martin IG, Dixon MF, Landsdown MRJ, McMahon MJ, et al. Gastric cancer: a curable disease in Britain. Br Med J. 1993;307:591–6.
Obekpa PO, Onumiya JE, Nwana EJC, et al. A clinicopathological review of gastric malignancies in the middle belt of Nigeria. Nig Med Pract. 1994;27:67–72.
Takyi HK. A review of cancer of the stomach as seen in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Ghana Med J. 1972;11:133–6.
Suvakonic Z, Bramble MG, Jones R, Wilson C, Idle N, Ryott T. Improving the detection rate of early gastric cancer requires more than open access gastroscopy: a five year study. Gut. 1997;41:308–13.
Breslin NP, Thomson ABR, Bailey RJ, Bluestein RK, Meddings J, Lafor E, et al. Gastric cancer and other endoscopic diagnosis in patients with benign dyspepsia. Gut. 2000;46:93–7.
Danbauchi SS, Kenshiri IB, Abdu-Guasu K. Fifteen years of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Zaria (1978–1993). Afr J Med Sci. 1999;28:87–90.
Wang C, Yuan Y, Hunt RH. The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and early gastric cancer: a metaanalysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102:1789–98.
Lawal OO, Rotimi O, Okeke I. Helicobacter pylori in gastrointestinal diseases. J Natl Med Assoc. 2007;99:31–4.
Hassan HA, Sharma VK, Raufman JP. Changing trends in gastric carcinoma at a university medical centre: a twelve year retrospective analysis. J clin Gastroenterol. 2001;32:37–40.
Borch K, Jonsson B, Tarpila A, et al. Changing pattern of histological type, location, stage and outcome of surgical treatment of gastric carcinoma. Br J Surg. 2002;87:618–26.
Ohanaka EC. Discharge against medical advice. Trop Doct. 2002;32:149–51.
Yawe KT, Bakari AA, Pindigu H, Mayun AA. Clinocopathological pattern and challenges in the management of colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. J Chin Clin med. 2007;2:688–94.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Osime, O.C., Momoh, M.I., Irowa, O.O. et al. Gastric Carcinoma—A Big Challenge in a Poor Economy. J Gastrointest Canc 41, 101–106 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-009-9118-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-009-9118-3