Profile of Cancer in Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital

Abstract

Letters to the EditorProfile of Cancer in Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital M. A. Al-Karawi and FA A. E. Mohamed M. A. Al-Karawi Gastroenterology Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh Search for more papers by this author and A. E. Mohamed Gastroenterology Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh Search for more papers by this author Published Online:25 Apr 2019https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.1995.424aSectionsPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AboutIntroductionTo the Editor: In this paper, the authors reviewed the first 5000 histologically confirmed malignancies at the Armed Forces Hospital and found that gastrointestinal cancer was the most frequent. On the other hand, we would like to mention three points:In the Discussion section entitled Gastrointestinal Cancer, the authors did not mention hepatitis C virus which is recognized as an important etiological factor in development of hepatoma. This association has been reported from different parts of the world including Saudi Arabia and we have shown this association previously in our patients in the same hospital.1,2The authors stated that “carcinoma of the esophagus was the second most common among the gastrointestinal cancers in the authors' series. Asymptomatic chronic esophagitis, probably a precancerous lesion in high risk areas, has not been reported in Qassim or elsewhere in the Kingdom”. This last statement that esophagitis has not been reported is not true, as there are some reports on reflux esophagitis as well as Barrett's esophagitis from our hospital.3,4Colorectal cancer in Saudi patients is very rare, as stated by the authors. Among dietary factors which are not mentioned by the authors are dates and laban, which used to be an important part of the Saudi diet. Colonic polyps, which may be a precancerous condition, are also very rare in Saudis.5,6ARTICLE REFERENCES:1. Al Karawi M, Shariq S, Mohamed S, Saeed A, Ahmed A. "Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in Saudi Arabia" . Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1992; 7: 237–9. Google Scholar2. Saeed A, Ahmed A, Al Karawi M, et al. "The association between hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatocellular carcinoma in relation to hepatitis B viral infection (RAFH experience)" . Ann Saudi Med. 1992; 12: 283–5. Google Scholar3. Mohamed A, Al-Karawi M, Yasawy I. "Endoscopic dilatation in the management of benign and malignant esophageal stricture-results of 203 consecutive dilatations" . Ann Saudi Med. 1990; 2: 176–81. Google Scholar4. Al Karawi M, Ahmed A, Shariq S, Mohamed A. "Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease-results in 40 patients" . Saudi Med J. 1992; 13: 407–11. Google Scholar5. Mohamed A, Al Karawi M, Koriech O. "Incidence of colorectal cancer and colonic polyps in Saudi patients" . Ann Saudi Med. 1990; 10: 19–21. Google Scholar6. Mohamed A, Al Karawi M, Hamid M, Yasawy I. "Lower gastrointestinal tract pathology in Saudis: result of endoscopic biopsy findings in 1600 patients" . Ann Saudi Med. 1987; 7: 306–11. Google Scholar Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 15, Issue 4July 1995 Metrics History Published online25 April 2019 InformationCopyright © 1995, Annals of Saudi MedicinePDF download