Abstract

Background: Upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies constitute a major health problem globally. There is a paucity of published data regarding upper gastrointestinal tract malignancy in Yemen. This study aimed to assess prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tract malignancy among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy done in Jiblah University Hospital and Almatary Medical Centre in Ibb Governorate, Yemen.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the complete records of 21148 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation between December 2005 and December 2023. Data were analyzed using SPPS version 26. Chi-square test was used to compare variables, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: Of 2148 patients who underwent endoscopic evaluation of the upper GI tract, 259 (12.1%) had upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies. The mean age of the patients was 64.98 years. Males represented 156 (60.2%) of the patients with upper gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal tumor was the most common tumor among the 100 (38.61%) upper GI gastrointestinal tract and was prevalent in male patients in their fifth decade of life. Adenocarcinoma 64 (69.6%) in this study was found more frequently in the age group 65-79 years with a male predominance.

Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies remain a public health issue in Yemen and need urgent intervention from health authorities due to the increasing incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies in Yemen.