Applied Sciences
| Open Access |
DOI: Ten-Year Retrospective Study of Gastric and Gastroesophageal Cancers in South-East Nigeria: Insights into Demographics and Tumour Characteristics
Kenechi Gerald Ike , FMCPath,Consultant Histopathologist, Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chinedu Ndukwe , FMCPath,Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria Badmos Kabir , FMCPath,Department of Anatomic Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu , PhD,Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo , MPH,Family Health International, Ukraine; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Christabel A. Ovesuor , FWACP,Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Asaba; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Oladipo Vincent Akinmade , MPH,Digital Health and Rights Project (Center for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, CIM), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri , MSc,Department of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University Partnership, Birmingham Campus, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ooju , MSc,World Health Organization, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ulunma Ikwuoma Mariere , FWACP,Bayelsa Medical University, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu , PhD,World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Japhet Haruna Jonah , MScPH,Department of Nursing Science, Family Health International (FH1 360), Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Abba Sadiq Usman , MScPH,Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Maiduguri Field Office, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Solomon Atuman , MPH,FHI 360; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Festus Ituah , PhD,School of Health and Sports Science, Regent College, London, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi , MScPH,Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jerry Soni , MPH,United Nations World Food Programme, Damascus, Syria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Leonard Nnamdi Meruo , MHPM,Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dental Public Health, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; Department of Oral Pathology, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Sadi Joel , MDRMDS,College of Nursing Science, Gombe, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Nwora Chinonso Oli , MBBS,Department of Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Obioma Chidumaga Aririsukwu , MBBS,Department of Medicine, St. Francis Medical Center, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.Abstract
Background: Gastric and gastro‑oesophageal junction cancers remain major contributors to global cancer mortality. In Nigeria, late diagnosis is common, and this pattern continues to drive high cancer‑related deaths.
Materials and Methods: Clinico‑pathological data were retrieved from four major histopathology laboratories in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi‑square test in SPSS version 25 to assess differences in proportions.
Results: Gastric and gastro‑oesophageal junction cancers were most frequently diagnosed in individuals in their sixth and seventh decades of life, with a median age of 56.7 years. There was no clear sex predilection in the study population. The pylorus and antrum were the most common tumour locations, and intestinal‑type adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological subtype. Most cases presented at advanced stages, with the majority staged as T3 or T4.
Conclusion: Gastric and gastro‑oesophageal junction cancers in this setting are characterised by late presentation and are predominantly antral adenocarcinomas. These findings highlight the need for a regional screening initiative aimed at earlier detection and improved outcomes.
Keywords
Gastric cancer, gastro oesophageal junction cancer, adenocarcinoma, late presentation
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kenechi Gerald Ike, Chinedu Ndukwe, Badmus Kabir, Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo, Christabel A. Ovesuor, Oladipo Vincent Akinmade, Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri, Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ooju, Ulunma Ikwuoma Mariere, Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu, Japhet Haruna Jonah, Abba Sadiq Usman, Solomon Atuman, Festus Ituah, Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi, Jerry Soni, Leonard Nnamdi Meruo, Sadi Joel, Nwora Chinonso Oli, Obioma Chidumaga Aririsukwu
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