Gastrointestinal Tumors in the Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department of the National Hospital of Niamey: Socio-Demographic, Endoscopic, and Histological Aspects

Abstract

Introduction: Digestive tumors are increasingly diagnosed at HNN, in a valid and active population (young adult males). Indeed, in Niger, despite relatively frequent endoscopic examinations, digestive tumors are, however, diagnosed late, because most patients consult at a time when the symptoms are obvious and worrying, thus worsening the prognosis. Patients and methods: Our study was retrospective, analytical, and descriptive and took place from December 14, 2019, to December 17, 2023, a total of 4 years. Results: One hundred and six (106) patients were included. The age group of 50 to 65 was the most represented. The sex ratio M/F was 1.72 and the median age of patients was 54 years. Epigastralgia (42.37%) was the main indication for upper digestive endoscopy and hematochezia (42%) for lower digestive endoscopy. Gastric (46.22%) and anorectal (38.68%) tumors were the most represented. The tumors were macroscopically ulcerative-budding with stenosis. Anatomopathological examinations enabled the diagnosis of 66.67% of digestive tract cancers. Malignant tumors (66.67%) were more frequent than benign tumors. Hyperplastic/inflammatory polyps (76.92%) represented the predominant histological type of benign tumors, and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (30.77%) represented the predominant histological type of malignant tumors. Conclusion: Digestive tumors constitute a major public health problem in our context, due to their frequency, severity, and constant increase. Improving the technical platform and training healthcare personnel in the management of these pathologies could improve the prognosis of these patients.