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Management and outcome of gastric carcinoma in Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract
Methods: Patients managed for histologically diagnosed gastric carcinoma were reviewed. The extent of surgical intervention was based on pre-operative and intra-operative staging balanced against the age and overall fitness of the patient. Mortality, morbidity and patient’s survival were monitored.
Results: There were 179 patients, with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Their mean age was 51±6.3. Ten (5.6%) patients presented with early gastric cancer. Overall, 155(86.6%) patients had surgical intervention including gastric resection in 87 (56.1%). Of the gastrectomies , 28.7% were curative (R0). Postoperative complications were seen in 43(27.7%) patients. Postoperative mortality in 25(16.1%) patients was significantly associated with peritoneal metastasis (p<0.001), preoperative comorbidity (p<0.01) and age more than 60years (p<0.03). The overall median survival was 13.6 months while 70.1% and 21.8% of patients that underwent gastrectomy survived for 1 and 5 years respectively.
Conclusion: Treatment of gastric cancer should be based on a reasonable choice of operation that must consider not only the survival benefits but also the surgical risks and postoperative quality of life
Keywords: Gastric cancer; Treatment; Gastrectomy; Morbidity; Survival
African Health Sciences 2011; 11(3): 353 - 361