Digestive system malignancies in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia: an analysis of 158 patients.

Retrospective evaluation of 158 patients with digestive system neoplasms was carried out. The disease pattern was compared to that noted in other parts of Arabia, other Middle East countries, Africa, and the West. An attempt was made to analyze potential aetiological factors in the Saudi population. At all cancer sites of the digestive system the male to female ratio was 3:1. Generally more younger patients with advanced cancer were encountered than reported in series from the Western hemisphere. The poor results of therapy were generally attributed to the advanced stage at presentation. The high frequency of GIT cancer and in particular the apparently rising incidence rate of colorectal cancer was attributed to dietary habits and the changing lifestyle of the population. Hepatitis B viral infection was the likely cause of primary hepatocellular cancer (PHC) although dietary factors could not be ruled out. Schistosomiasis was found not to play a role in the causation of either PHC or colorectal cancer.

Abdominal tuberculosis: a frequent diagnostic challenge.

In recent years, abdominal tuberculosis has become rare in many countries even where pulmonary tuberculosis still exists. A case of abdominal tuberculosis is described in a young male who presented with non-specific symptoms together with CT scan findings that simulated abdominal lymphoma. Diagnosis was established during abdominal exploration. The frequency of various presenting manifestations of abdominal tuberculosis are discussed. The report emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion to save patients unnecessary exploratory laparatomy.