Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer in Yemen: A hospital-based study

Abstract

Background: The incidence of gastroesophageal cancer has shown a rapid change in several areas of the world.Aim: to determine the sub site distribution of upper gastrointestinal cancer among patients underwent endoscopic clinic at AlThowrah hospital, Sana’a city, Yemen. Methods: Descriptive, hospital based study was carry out to study the sub site distribution of upper gastrointestinal cancers in Yemen. 1006 patients referred to Al-Thawra hospital-Sana'a from several public and privet hospitals. All gastric and esophageal cancer patients diagnosed during the period from January 2008 and July 2012 were included in the study. All patients admitted to this study were studied according to clinical protocol consisting of a standard questionnaire, clinical examination and endoscopic findings. The questionnaire was included demographic characteristics and endoscopic findings. The data were analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, Version 18.0.) descriptive statistics were apply. Results: A total of 1006 patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers were identified, 31.2% of the patients were referred from Amran, followed by 26.8% from Sana’a and 25.9% from Saada. 54.7% of the patients' had EC and 43.3% had GC. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 46%.Conclusion: There were considerable variations in the sub site of upper gastrointestinal cancers in the Yemen. Keywords: Cancer, Upper GI cancer, Gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, Yemen.