Pattern of primary gastrointestinal cancer: King Khalid University Hospital experience and review of published national data

This study is based on data collected from a total of 629 patients [435 male and 194 female] with histologically confirmed cancer of the primary gastrointestinal tract and its accessory glands, seen at King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH] between January 1985 and December 1993. During this period, a total of 2464 cancer cases were identified at KKUH. The relative frequency and rank of order are determined for various gastrointestinal cancers, as well as distribution according to age, sex and primary site affected. Gastrointestinal malignancy accounts for 25.5% of total cancer cases seen at KKUH. The mean age of patients was 59 +/- 17 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.24:1. Primary liver cancer was the most common malignancy [34%], followed by gastric cancer [18%], colorectal [17%] and esophageal cancer [12%]. We compared our findings with national published data from different provinces in Saudi Arabia. Results from this report stress the importance of prevention, screening and early detection for gastrointestinal malignancy

Superior vena caval obstruction: King Khalid University Hospital experience

A five year experience in 21 patients with superior vena caval obstruction [SVCO] was reviewed. SVCO was due to benign conditions in four patients [19%] and malignant tumors in 17 patients [81%]. Lymphoma and lung cancer were the most common causes encountered. The most common symptoms and signs were facial swelling, shortness of breath, jugular venous distention, swelling of face and arms, and engorgement of thoracic veins. Benign disorders had a longer duration of symptoms before presentation and required longer time to make the diagnosis than in malignant disorders. No serious complications resulted from the superior vena cava obstruction itself or the investigative procedures leading to the diagnosis. Prognosis and response to treatment were dependent on the underlying cause of SVCO. Chemotherapy was effective in induction of complete regression of SVCO in the majority of patients with underlying malignant disorders. We conclude that SVCO should be approached invasively for diagnosis and tissue diagnosis of the underlying disorder should dictate the appropriate therapy

Cancer at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh

This study is based on data collected from a total of 1196 patients [725 males and 471 females] with histologically confirmed cancer seen in King Khalid University Hospital over a 5-year period between September 1985 to August 1990. Four hundred forty-five patients were non-Saudi [37.20%]. The relative frequency and rank of order are determined for various cancers in Saudi patients and total group and compared with the results of the other published studies on cancer epidemiology in Saudi Arabia. The most common cancers among Saudi males were liver, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, stomach, lung, central nervous system, prostate, lymphoid leukemias, myeloid leukemias, urinary bladder and Hodgkin's disease. The most common cancers among Saudi females were breast, thyroid, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, central nervous system, stomach, myeloid leukemias, esophagus, lymphoid leukemias, liver and ovary. Rank order and relative frequency for liver cancer in both sexes is the highest among any study previously published on the epidemiology of cancer in Saudi Arabia