Problematics in Medical Management of Digestive Cancers in Ziguinchor

Abstract

Background: In Senegal, digestive cancers often cause an issue in their management, especially in semi-urban areas. The aim of our study was to evaluate the medical management of digestive cancers at Peace hospital in Ziguinchor. Patients and methodology: It was a retrospective study during 20 months, including all patients of medicine, general surgery and digestive endoscopy departments, with a diagnosis of primary digestive cancer. Data’s were collected and analyzed with Microsoft Excel. Results: Seventy and fourteen patients were included. There were 49 men and 25 women (sex-ratio 1,96). The average age was 45,2 years. Thirty and five patients (47,3%) presented a hepatocellular carcinoma. They all had a symptomatic treatment. Twelve patients died. An oesophageal cancer was diagnosed for 10 patients (13,5%). The tumor was located at upper third for 4 patients, middle third for 1 patient and lower third for 5 patients. The treatment was a feeding gastrostomy. A gastric cancer was diagnosed in 12 patients (16,2%). The tumor was in antrum for 8 patients (66,7%). A jejunostomy and a gastro-entero-anastomosis were realized for 2 patients. Ten patients (13,5%) had a colorectal cancer. The tumor was in lower rectum for 3 patients, middle rectum for 4 patients, upper rectum for 1 patient, rectosigmoid junction for 1 patient and right colon for 1 patient. A monobloc resection was realized for 1 patient. Four (4) patients had a colostomy. A pancreatic cancer was diagnosed for 7 patients (9,5%). Five patients (5) had a head cancer, one (1) had a tail cancer and another one (1) had a body-tail cancer. They all had a symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: In Senegal, primary digestive cancers are frequent in semi-urban areas especially hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnosis is often delayed and the treatment is symptomatic. The primary prevention and a better local technical equipment would improve their management.