Spectrum of gastrointestinal malignancies in a rural tertiary care center

Population-based time trend studies show a rising trend in the incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies in India. However, data from the rural population is limited. The aim of this descriptive study was to see the pattern of gastrointestinal cancers and their clinic pathological features in a rural setting hospital.

The pathology reports and case files of gastrointestinal malignancies diagnosed in Indian Red Cross Cancer Hospital, Nellore, India from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 (2-year period) were reviewed and data analysed by SPSS version 17.

Totally 93 patients were included in the study. Gastrointestinal malignancies were more common in the 6th decade, and showed male preponderance. Anorectal region was the most affected site. Overall, adenocarcinoma was the predominant type of cancer. Most of them presented with well-differentiated tumors.

This study highlights the characteristic trends of gastrointestinal cancer patients in a rural hospital setting. It emphasises the need for data interpolation across various hospital-based cancer registries.