Malignant Gastrointestinal Tumours in South Western Nigeria: A Histopathologic Analysis of 713 Cases
Date
2009
Authors
Abdulkareem, FB
Faduyile, FA
Daramola, A.O
Rotimi, O
Banjo, AAF
Elesha, SO
Anunobi, CC
Akinde, OR
Abudu, EK
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
West African Journal of Medicine
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malignant tumours of the gastro-intestinal
tract are not as rare as previous studies suggest. Recent studies
have indicated increasing incidence.
OBJECTIVE: To document the pattern, age and sex distribution
as well as histopathology characteristics of malignant tumours
of the gastro-intestinal system in Lagos and Sagamu in Southwestern
Nigeria.
METHODS: The paraffin embedded blocks and slides as well as
pathology reports of malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal
(GIT) organs collected from five laboratories (Morbid Anatomy
Departments of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and
Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu,
Ogun State as well as the three private histolopathology
laboratories in Lagos State) were reviewed. The clinical data
such as the age, sex, and clinical summary were extracted from
the records.
RESULTS: About 80% (578 cases) of all the 713 malignant GIT
tumours were epithelial; sarcomas, carcinoid and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma being less common. The ages ranged from 4–96yrs
(mean of 48.9years) with the peak in patients 60–69-year age
group and M:F ratio of 1.35:1. Colorectal tumours topped the
list with 402 cases (56%), followed by liver 105(14.7%), stomach
85(12%) and omental metastases 67(9.4%). The oesophagus,
pancreas, small intestine and gall bladder represented 18(2.5%),
16(2.2%), 12(1.7%), and eight (1.1%) respectively. Colorectal
cancers peaked in the 60–69 year age group, liver and stomach
cancer occurred mostly between the 50–59 years age group. Over
half of the colorectal adenocarcinomata were located in the
ano-rectum with 93(23%) occurring in those below 40 years of
age.
CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer remains the commonest GIT
tumour in the region. Molecular studies are imperative to
identify the common subtypes of GIT tumours in order to
ascertain their specific pathogenetic and prognostic features.
WAJM 2009; 28(3) 173–176.
Description
Keywords
Malignant tumours; gastro-intestinal tumours; digestive system, colorectal cancer
Citation
WAJM 2009; 28(3) 173–176.