Esophageal Cancer in Sudan: Demographic and Histopathlogical Variations

Abstract

Background: Sudan is experiencing a growing cancer problem. Esophageal cancer (EC) is a devastating disease with high mortality. Our objective was to study the demographic factors and histopathological pattern of EC cancer in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the records and histopathology reports of all patients diagnosed endoscopically as EC and who were referred to Zain center, a reference histopathology center in Khartoum Sudan, were studied over a 6-month period. Descriptive and simple statistics were used for analysis. Results: Out of 74 histopathologically studied patients, 66 (89.2%) had squamous cell (SCC) cancer (average age 59 y, mainly females) and 8 (10.8%) had adenocarcinoma (AC-average age 69 y). The female to male ratio is 1.5:1. In females with SCC, the tumors mainly located in the upper and middle thirds of the oesophagus. On the other hand, 6 out of the 8 patients with AC were men, with the tumors located mainly in the lower third. Conclusions: In Khartoum, Sudan, esophageal cancer affects females (predominantly SCC) more than males (predominantly AC). It occurs at a relatively young age, and is predominantly squamous cell in type. No specific risk factors were identified and this needs further studies.

Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Management of Esophageal Cancer in East of Sudan (Single center experience from 2016-2018)

“…In the study the female is commonly affected with male to female ratio 1:2 [6][7][8]. Which is similar to studies done in Gezira and Khartoum [1,2]. The reverse of this ratio is seen in Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Iran and internationally [6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…few patients 7(17.5%) were from other tribes. Table, (1). All of the patients present with dysphagia 40(100%), Most of the patients present with weight loss and anorexia in 37(92.5%) and 32(80%) respectively.…”

“…whereas few patient present with palpable cervical lymph nodes (L. Ns) and hoarseness of voice in 14(35%) and 32. 5%), figure (1). The most common risk factors among patients were Coffee with ginger and pepper, Hot tea and gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD in 40(100%), 37(95%) and 17(42.5%) respectively.…”

“…In Sudan, earlier reports 1977 showed that the incidence of esophageal cancer was 1.4% of all malignant tumors. the disease affected both sexes equally; and was most common at the age group 50-69 [1]. In contrast, a study at 2012 from Gezira province in central Sudan showed that 9.6% of patients referred for endoscopy proved to have esophageal cancer [2].…”

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Esophageal Cancer is 6 th common cause of cancer death worldwide, internationally the outcome of esophageal cancer is very poor. In Sudan esophageal cancer is also one of the most common malignancies and devastating disease with high mortality [1,3]. This study investigated esophageal cancer in the red sea state, east of Sudan over period October 2016 to October 2018, in port Sudan oncology center.

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