Gastric cancer in Bujumbura: review over 22 years in Kamenge university hospital

Aim: The gastric cancer is a major public health issue particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical and histopathological aspects of gastric cancer in Kamenge university hospital in Bujumbura. Patients and method: Retrospective study over 22 years (January 1988 to December 2009) carried out in Kamenge university hospital in Bujumbura. Results: 252 cases of gastric cancer have been collected during the period of 22 years. The annual frequency was 11,5 cases per year. The middle age was 55,2 years. The sex-ratio was 1,4 in favor of males. The symptoms were not specific and patients consulted late in advanced stage of the disease. Regarding histopathology, the adenocarcinoma was the most frequent (92,8%). Sarcoma and lymphoma were respectively found in 3,8% and 4% of cases. The treatment was essentially surgical. Postoperative mortality was 13,7%. Conclusion: The adenocarcinoma was the most frequent cancer. The treatment was essentially surgical and the prognosis was poor.