A descriptive study of gastro-intestinal (GI) malignancies of adult Sri Lankans: data from a 2 year survey in a medical unit of a tertiary referral centre

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe demographics and clinico-endoscpoic features of GI malignancies of adult Sri Lankans, seeking medical advice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Data of 1491 consecutive upper GI and 327 consecutive lower GI endoscopies performed by Ward 6, SJGH Kotte, from 01/03/2002 to 01/03/2004 were retrospectively analysed. Those who had endoscopic and histological proof of GI malignancies were included in the study. RESULTS: There were 51 total GI malignancies, showing oesophageal, gastric, colo-rectal and duodenal involvement in 13, 18, 19 an 1 respectively, which was 2.8 % of the whole study population.2.1% and 5.8% revealed upper GI and lower GI malignancies in respective populations. Mean age of presentation in oesophageal, stomach, and colo-rectal carcinomas were 63.8, 70.1 and 58.3 respectively. All malignancies showed a male preponderance of 2.4:1 while in carcinoma of stomach this was 8:1 .The mean haemoglobin at presentation was 10.7, 9.0 and 9.7 g/dl for oesophageal, gastric and colo-rectal malignancies respectively. There were no other significant haernatological or bio¬chemical abnormalities at presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The study population showed three times preponderance of colo-rectal malignancies compared to those of upper GIT in respective groups. Mean age of presentation was early in carcinoma of the colon compared to other three GI malignancies (p<0.05). Anaemia was the single most significant abnormal laboratory parameter in this study.