Abstract
Background and Objectives: Regardless of the decrease in incidence of gastric cancer in Western countries during the past decade, it is one of the leading causes of death in developing countries. Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Iran and its incidence is particularly high in the northwest of the country. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of patients with gastric cancer admitted at Tabriz medical centers.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty documented patients with diagnosis of gastric caner) confirmed by pathologic study) were studied in a prospective analytic-descriptive study during an 18-month period with no interventions. Demographic data (age, sex), presenting signs and symptoms, possible predisposing factors and diagnostic procedures (upper GI series, endoscopy, CT scanning, sonography) and therapeutic modalities (operation, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) were determined in these patients. During the follow-up period, median survival rate and the probable complications were assessed.
Results: One hundred and fifty patients, 114 males and 36 females with the mean age of 62.41±11.36 years were enrolled in the study. Dysphagia (30%), loss of appetite 28%) and continuous abdominal pain (26.7%) were the most common symptoms, lasted for a mean time of 3.14 months before definite diagnosis. Smoking (42%), previous upper gastrointestinal sign or symptoms (34%) were the most frequent well-known risk factors. Upper GI endoscopy was performed in all patients followed by CT scanning and sonographies were applied in 87.1% and 37.3% of the patients for staging. CT scan was avoided in many cases with reports of metastasis by sonography. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were employed in 46%, 53.3% and 36.7% of the patients, respectively. 18 patients underwent a combination of them. Cachexia (72%) was the most frequent complication during the follow-up period. The median survival time was6.84 months which was significantly lower in patients in stage IV and patients with diffuse type adenocarcinoma.
Conclusion: The diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities in patients admitted in our center due to GC are in conformity with the instructions in the literature. According to pattern of the disease which results in delayed refer and a serious cost on the community more studies on earlier diagnosis are recommended.