- Emmanuel K Abudu: Department of Histopathology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital , Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.
- Oluyinka S Akinbami: Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital , Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.
Incidence of gastrointestinal malignancy is gradually increasing. The aim of the study is to investigate age, sex and relative frequencies of various gastrointestinal malignancies diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2014 in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and in a Private Specialist Laboratory, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. All histological-diagnosed cases of gastrointestinal malignancies seen during the study period were recruited noting their bio-data and histopathological characteristics. A total of 67 patients aged 6-77 years (mean 58.0, SD 7.4) were enrolled; a male to female ratio of 1.3:1 was recorded. The most common age group and anatomical site affected with gastrointestinal malignancy were 61-70 years (23 cases, 34.3%) and colo-rectum cancers (36 cases, 53.7%). The small intestine and stomach were second and third leading anatomic sites involved in gastrointestinal malignancies, accounting for 13 (19.4%) and 8 (11.9%) cases respectively. Adenocarcinoma accounted for the majority of gastrointestinal malignancies (57 cases, 85.1%). Lymphoma and carcinoid tumor were also common, accounting for 3 (4.5%) cases each. Colorectal carcinoma was the most common type of gastrointestinal malignancies (53.7%) with adenocarcinoma being the predominant histological subtype of gastrointestinal malignancies.