# Pattern of gastrointestinal malignancies in a suburban centre in Southern Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study examines the pattern of gastrointestinal cancers in Southern Nigeria, finding that colon and rectal cancers are most common, affecting mostly working-age males.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed analysis of gastrointestinal malignancy patterns in a specific Nigerian region, highlighting colon and rectal cancers as predominant.

## Key findings

- Colon and rectum malignancies accounted for 63.5% of gastrointestinal cancers.
- Adenocarcinoma was the most common type, comprising 87.5% of cases.
- The peak age group affected was 41-50 years with a male predominance.

## Abstract

Recent studies in sub–Saharan Africa have suggested an increasing incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies which consequently poses significant public health burden in terms of morbidity and mortality.

This study was carried out to assess the distribution, clinical presentation, and histopathological characteristics of gastrointestinal malignancies in a tertiary health centre in Southern Nigeria.

A retrospective review of all patients with histologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy in a tertiary health institution in Southern Nigeria between January 2013 and December 2022.

A total of 104 patients were included in the study. There were 64 males and 40 females with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1 and the peak age group was 41-50 years. The commonest sites affected were the colon and rectum (63.5%), followed by the stomach (22.1%). Adenocarcinoma was the predominant type of gastrointestinal malignancy, comprising 87.5% of the cases with most of them well differentiated. Others included sarcoma (6.7%), squamous cell carcinoma (1.9%), neuroendocrine tumour (1.9%), lymphoma (1%), and plasmacytoma (1%).

Colon and rectal cancers were the predominant gastrointestinal malignancies with a male preponderance, and individuals between 41-50 years, who constitute the bulk of the country's workforce, were more affected. It is imperative to develop strategies aimed at reducing the incidence and fatality.