[Stomach cancer: a descriptive study of 101 cases at the gastrointestinal endoscopy center at Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital].

INTRODUCTION: Stomach cancer is a real public health problem in Black Africa. We report its epidemiological, endoscopic, and histological aspects, as observed in our gastrointestinal endoscopy center at Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar (Senegal).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study covered the 5-year period from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2010 and included all patients with stomach cancer confirmed by anatomo-pathological examination. We collected data about age, sex, indications for the examination, and description of the gastric lesions and any other associated lesions from the upper GI endoscopy reports. We also recorded information from the histological reports of all lesions.

RESULTS: The study included 101 patients. The incidence of gastric cancer was 20 cases/year. Patients’ mean age was 58 years [range: 24-83]. The sex ratio was 2.48. The main indications for the upper GI endoscopy were epigastralgia (33.3%), vomiting (26.1%), and tumoral hepatomegalia (10.81%). The examination found mainly ulcerative and protruded lesions (59.40%). Other types of lesions associated with the tumor were esophageal candidiasis (34.6%), peptic esophagitis (25%), and gastroesophageal junction incompetence (25%). The tumor was located in the antrum in 68% of the cases and was an adenocarcinoma in 83.2%.

CONCLUSION: A cancer register to determine the characteristics and prevalence of stomach cancer in Senegal would be useful. The link with Helicobacter pylori requires further study.