article · Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
A retrospective ten-year study conducted across two hospitals in Makurdi, Nigeria, examined the patterns and characteristics of gastric cancer from 2016 to 2024. Out of 2,341 recorded malignancies, 19 were gastric cancers, representing 0.81 per cent of all cancers and 12.3 per cent of the 155 gastrointestinal tumours identified. Gastric cancer ranked as the third most frequent gastrointestinal malignancy, trailing colorectal and anal cancers which formed the vast majority. Men accounted for 68 per cent of diagnosed individuals, and the highest incidence was observed among people aged between 51 and 60 years. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological form, making up 74 per cent of cases, followed by poorly differentiated carcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma. These findings indicate that while gastric cancer is comparatively uncommon in the locality, cases often reflect late detection, demonstrating an urgent requirement for strengthened diagnostic infrastructure.
Understanding the local prevalence and demographic patterns of gastrointestinal cancers helps healthcare systems allocate resources effectively. Because gastric cancer frequently presents at late stages with high mortality, establishing baseline hospital data allows public health planners to identify gaps in clinical capacity, prioritise diagnostic infrastructure, and design targeted early detection initiatives for vulnerable populations, particularly older men.
The abstract does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway, as it reports descriptive epidemiological data. However, the demonstrated need for enhanced diagnostic infrastructure highlights potential demand for medical device manufacturers and diagnostic service providers developing affordable, robust screening and pathology tools tailored for regional hospitals.
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Gastric cancer is a major contributor to global cancer mortality. In Nigeria, especially in the North Central regions such as Makurdi, data on its prevalence and pathological features remain limited. To describe the demographic and histopathologic profile of gastric cancer cases diagnosed in Makurdi over 10 years and compare findings with national and global trends. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Benue State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, from January 2016 to December 2024. Histologically confirmed gastric cancer cases were analysed for age, sex, tumour subtype, and distribution within the spectrum of gastrointestinal cancers. Among 2,341 malignancies identified during the study period, 19 cases (0.81%) were gastric cancers, accounting for 12.3% of all gastrointestinal tumours (n=155). The peak incidence occurred in the 51–60-year age group (47%). Males were more commonly affected (68%). Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological subtype (74%), followed by poorly differentiated carcinoma (16%), signet ring cell carcinoma (5%), and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (5%). Gastric cancer was the third most common gastrointestinal malignancy after colorectal/anal cancers (83.2%). Gastric cancer in Makurdi remains relatively rare but clinically important, with a clear male preponderance and predominance of adenocarcinoma. The pattern reflects late-stage detection and aligns with regional and global observations. These findings underscore the need for early detection strategies and improved diagnostic infrastructure in North Central Nigeria.
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DOI: 10.9734/jamps/2025/v27i6789
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