The distribution of cancer cases in Somalia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and distribution of cancer cases in a defined time period in Somalia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 403 cancer cases were diagnosed between January 01, 2016 and March 01, 2017 in the Department of Pathology at the Somalia Mogadishu-Turkey Education and Research Hospital or the Department of Oncology at Uniso Hospital, Somalia University. Data on cancer type, patient age, and gender were obtained from pathology reports and hospital records. RESULTS: Female patients totaled 49.6% (n = 200) and 50.4% of patients were male (n = 203). The youngest patient was 18 years of age, the oldest was 97, and the average age was 53.4 years. The 10 most common types of cancer were esophageal (n = 130, 32.3%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 35, 8.7%), liver (n = 26, 6.5%), breast (n = 24, 6.0%), skin (n = 17, 4.2%), thyroid (n = 13, 3.2%), brain (n = 12, 3.0%), bone (n = 11, 2.7%), colorectal (n = 11, 2.7%), and soft tissue (n = 11, 2.7%). The most common site of cancer in both males and females was the esophagus. CONCLUSION: These results show a high incidence of esophageal cancer in Somalia, and strongly suggest that environmental risk factors and nutritional habits have a strong impact in this population. Serious and extensive research on the etiology of esophageal cancer is required.

Role of Different Treatment Modalities in Cavity Volume during the Treatment of Cystic Ecchinococcosis.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery and percutaneous aspiration-injection-re-aspiration (PAIR) are widely accepted treatment modalities for hepatic hydatid cysts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) acts as a minimally invasive rescue method for the biliary complications of both the hydatid cysts and treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to identify the role of different treatment modalities in the obliteration of hydatid cysts. METHODS: Patients treated for hydatid cysts between January 2009 and December 2013 were evaluated in the study. Data were collected from hospital records. All cyst cavities were evaluated by ultrasonography or computed tomography. RESULTS: Ninety-five (40.4%) males and 140 (59.5%) females were included in the study. Before the procedures, the mean cyst diameter was 89.7±33.5 mm. At follow-up, the mean cyst diameter decreased to 53.2±30.1 mm. In the ERCP group, the mean diameter of the residual hydatid cyst cavity was significantly lower than that of the other groups (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: ERCP provides faster cyst shrinkage and even disappearance of the residual cavity in 50% of cases. Moreover, in hydatid cysts with biliary communication, ERCP+ES can be safely used for primary treatment.