The distribution of gastric malignancies in AL-Diwaniyah province-Iraq, a retrospective study

Abstract

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting gastrointestinal tract. It a multifactorial illness, both genetic and environmental factors involving in etiology. A wide variation in the incidence of gastric cancer in different geographical regions. Endoscopy is the most sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis. The aims of this study is to describe the distribution rate of gastric cancer in AL-Diwaniyah province in Iraq in correlation with the patients age, sex and the histopathological types of gastric cancer. From about (4078) patients who underwent gastroscopy for different indications at AL-Diwaniyah gastroenterology and hepatology center in Iraq during the period between November 2015 and April 2019, (76) patients were founded to have gastric cancer by documented histopathological study of tissue biopsy. Gastric cancer distribution was about (1.8%). Males are affected more than females in a ratio of (1.37:1). Out of (76) total number of patients with gastric cancer ;(69) patients (90.79%) having gastric adenocarcinoma ( most common type) with male to female ratio of (1.46:1). (5) Patients (6.58%) having gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and (2) patients ( 2.63%) having lymphoma. In patients with adenocarcinoma,(12) patients (17.39%) were less than (40 years) of age,  (31) patients (44.93%) were between (40-60 years) and (26) patients (37.68%) were older than (60 years). The intestinal-type adenocarcinoma was the most common histopathological type (63.77%), followed by diffuse type (30.43%), mixed (4.35%) and mucinous(1.45%). Gastric cancer incidence is increasing with advance age; it still a public health and challenging problem. Mass screening or surveillance programs is the best method for the detection and diagnosis of gastric cancer at an early stage