Background: The prevalence and mortality rate of different gastrointestinal malignancies are well studied in most developed nations. However, in the majority of African countries including Rwanda few publications were done in regard to risks, diseases presentations and clinical outcomes. Based on hospital data, gastrointestinal malignancies are deadly and posing a hurdle to manage in most Rwandan health facilities. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of gastrointestinal malignancies at Kigali University Teaching Hospital.
Methods: This was a prospective observational study on patients diagnosed to have a tumour in their alimentary tract at endoscopy unity of CHUK. During 18 months of the study period, 102 patients were found to have gastrointestinal tumours and signed informed consent before enrolment to the study. Patients’ characteristics were recorded, and they were followed for 6 months to know which investigations were requested to them, surgical interventions and treatments provided. The overall outcome was measured by the mortality rate at six months of follow up.
Results: Among study participants female were 52% and the prevalence of gastrointestinal neoplasms was more remarkable among patients above 60 years old (47.1%) and rare below the age of 30 years (2.0%). Stomach cancer was more prevalent at 67.5% of all patients diagnosed to have cancers. Colo-rectal and oesophageal cancers represented 20.0% and 11.2%, respectively. The survival rate for oesophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer after that period was 21.4%, 34.4% and 75.0%, respectively.
Conclusion: Gastrointestinal malignancies are deadly among our study population. Even with short periods of follow up, these neoplasms exhibit poor outcomes and treatment options are scarce. Colorectal cancer patients have a better outcome compared to oesophageal and stomach cancers.
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