Study of Gastrointestinal Cancers in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cancer is one of the leading cause of death both in developed and developing countries. In India, it accounts for 0.3 million deaths per year. Cancers of lung, GIT and oral cancers dominated among men while breast, cervix, ovary and oral cavity were commonest cancer seen in women. Among the gastrointestinal cancers, cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and liver cancers were commonest. The aim of the study is to evaluate the incidence of the various GIT cancers in a tertiary hospital of Coastal Andhra when compared to other studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, a total of 509 health records of patients affected by cancers were studied and relevant details noted. RESULTS A total of 509 cancer cases were reported in this period of 18 months (January 2016-June 2017) of which 85 cases (16.3%) were of Gastrointestinal (GIT) cancers. The age group between 40 and 60 recorded the maximum incidence of 47 cancers (55.1%). The incidence of gastrointestinal cancers were significantly higher in the men (56 cases) (65.8%) than the women (29 cases) (34.11%). The commonest site of GIT cancers was the colorectal region (30 cases) (35.7%). The most common type of cancer seen was adenocarcinoma seen in 73 cases (85.8%). CONCLUSION Public education and awareness for the warning symptoms should be increased to prevent reduction of the life span and health caused by the gastrointestinal cancers with intense awareness drive using various means including social media undertaken to educate the public regarding the warning symptoms and screening of such group for GIT cancers.